Pressure on returning Kohli ahead of 2nd T20I

BIRMINGHAM: Virat Kohli would be desperate to come out of his prolonged lean patch when he makes his T20 return after five months with the second game against England, in Birmingham on Saturday. Kohli, who last played a T20 international in February, has featured in only two games since India's underwhelming campaign in the T20 World Cup in October-November when he was captain of the national side.

The only T20 cricket he played since then was in the IPL but there too he was far from his best.

Kohli and other seniors getting frequent breaks as part of the team's rest and rotate policy has given opportunities to fringe players like Deepak Hooda, who will be difficult to drop on Saturday after his recent performances.

Batting at Kohli's position, Hooda has made a big impact and also showed ominous form in the series opener against England, scoring a 17-ball 33. Agencies

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