England Bowlers Who Can Trouble Virat Kohli In IND Vs ENG ODI Series

Virat Kohli and James Coles in frame. [Source- AFP/SussexCCC]

England recently announced a strong 16-member squad, led by Harry Brook. The key highlight of the team selection is that all bases are covered, be it batting or bowling. The hosts will take on a supremely talented Indian unit in three ODIs, starting from July 14. 

As the two teams are already battling in the five-match T20I leg, the ODI series will be a return of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. 

Kohli, who is still the backbone of the Indian batting, is chasing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 hundreds and is 15 centuries behind the Master Blaster. But more than that, the Chasemaster is looking to push for the ODI World Cup 2027, especially after retiring from the shortest and longest formats. 

The IND vs ENG ODI series will be crucial for Virat Kohli, as he missed India's last bilateral against Afghanistan at home. 

In this article, we will discuss three English bowlers who could trouble Virat Kohli in the three-match ODI series.

England bowlers who could trouble Virat Kohli

Adil Rashid

Although regarded as a great wrist-spinner, Adil Rashid has had impressive battles against Virat Kohli. The masterful spinner has had tricks up his sleeve against the Chasemaster, with the leggie dominating more.

The two have met each other 10 times in ODIs, with Rashid getting Kohli's number on five different occasions. Moreover, the leggie has dismissed VK 11 times in international cricket.

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Although he has scored 112 runs off 130 balls faced, the Indian batter only averages 22.4 vs the English spinner.

Thus, Virat Kohli vs Adil Rashid would be a riveting battle to watch out for in the three-match IND vs ENG ODIs.  

Kohli vs Rashid in ODIs

Josh Tongue

England have picked a balanced squad, with a fearsome fast bowling attack with Jofra Archer as the leader of the pack. However, Josh Tongue would be the one of the English pacers who could pose a challenge against Virat Kohli. 

The two have never come to loggerheads against each other, but Tongue is one seamer in the England squad who could have his tail up against Kohli. The Durham seamer is known to bowl in the corridor of uncertainty - a life-old weakness in the Indian number three’s play. 

Otherwise, very sorted, he gets vulnerable to deliveries pitched outside the off-stump. Thus, Josh Tongue might cause problems for Virat Kohli.

James Coles

James Coles has earned his maiden England call-up for the three-match ODI series against India. The uncapped Sussex all-rounder is a more of a batter, but he can bowl wonderful left-arm spin as well. 

James Coles has earned his maiden England call-up for the three-match ODI series against India. The uncapped Sussex all-rounder is more of a batter, but he can bowl wonderful left-arm spin as well. 

In his brief List-A career, the young man has picked 26 wickets at an average of 32.07. Moreover, Virat Kohli’s number against left-arm spin has only dipped in recent years. Since 2022, he has been dismissed by a left-arm finger spinner 10 times, with a dot percentage of 43.9%. 

Kohli vs left-arm orthodox in ODIs (since 2022)

Moreover, Kohli has had an old habit of getting undone by debutants or lesser-known bowling options. Thus, James Coles could turn out to be a threat against the batter. 

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