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Xtra Time Web Desk: Virat Kohli, one of the fittest cricketers globally, missed the first ODI against England on February 6, 2025, at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur due to a sore right knee. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the injury through an update on their X handle.

Kohli’s absence marks a rare occasion in international cricket, as he is known for his rigorous fitness standards, which he set after taking over the Indian team's leadership in 2015. Despite his efforts, Kohli has had to miss international matches due to injuries. Here are some notable instances:

Read More: IND vs ENG: Virat Kohli misses first ODI in Nagpur! But why? Rohit Sharma reveals

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Virat Kohli was unavailable for selection for the 1st ODI due to a sore right knee.

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— BCCI (@BCCI) February 6, 2025

1. 4th Test vs Australia, March 25-29, 2017, Dharamsala
   Kohli injured his shoulder while fielding in the third Test at Ranchi. Unable to recover in time, he missed the series decider, which saw Ajinkya Rahane captain India to an eight-wicket victory and a 2-1 series win.
2. 3rd T20I vs South Africa, February 24, 2018, Cape Town
   Kohli missed the third T20I due to a stiff back. Rohit Sharma led the team in his absence, and India won by seven runs, clinching the series.
3. 2nd Test vs South Africa, January 3-7, 2022, Johannesburg
   After leading India to a significant win in the first Test, Kohli was sidelined in the second Test due to an upper back spasm. Vice-captain KL Rahul took over but faced a loss as South Africa leveled the series with a seven-wicket win.
4. 1st ODI vs England, July 12, 2022, Kennington Oval, London
   Kohli missed the first ODI due to a groin injury, with India securing a dominant ten-wicket win thanks to Jasprit Bumrah’s career-best bowling figures of 6/19.
5. Saurashtra vs Delhi, Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Elite, January 23-24, 2025, Rajkot
   Kohli missed this Ranji Trophy match due to a neck sprain, marking his first absence from domestic cricket after BCCI’s new rules required players to participate in domestic fixtures when not on national duty.
6. India vs England, 1st ODI, February 6, 2025, Nagpur
   Kohli's latest absence came when India captain Rohit Sharma confirmed that he would not feature in the opening ODI against England due to his knee injury. Shreyas Iyer was promoted to number three in his place. 

Read More: IND vs ENG: Team India's next-gen stars: Jaiswal, Rana make ODI debuts in Nagpur

Kohli, if for the next game, will now have just two matches to prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The batter's form will be extremely important for the team in the tournament, and hence, the series against England becomes important for him.

The batter has looked out of form in the last few months. He failed badly in Test cricket and also couldn't get going in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 as well. The last ODI came for him was during a game against Sri Lanka, where he failed in all three games.