India vs England 2022, 2nd ODI: Virat Kohli does not need reassurance, says Rohit Sharma after defeat against England

Rohit Sharma backed Virat Kohli, who is currently struggling with bad form, saying he is such a great batsman and does not need reassurance. "He (Kohli) has played so many matches. He is playing for so many years. He is such a great batsman, so he does not need reassurance," Rohit said in a post-match press conference. Having sat out the first ODI on Tuesday due to a groin strain, Kohli took a sort of batting fitness test on the morning of the seond ODI on Thursday, before giving a firm nod to India coach Rahul Dravid about him being ready.

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Reece Topley recorded the best figures for an England bowler in ODI cricket as the hosts roared back against India after their drubbing at The Oval to level the three-match series with a 100-run win in the second game on Thursday. Chasing 247 on a Lord's wicket that had eased up after the first

But Kohli's poor run of form continued as he could only make 16 runs. Before this, he scored just 12 runs in total in the two chances he got in the three-match T20I series that India won. "I pointed this out in my last press conference, too. Form goes up and down, that is part and parcel of any cricketer's career. So a player like him, who has played for so many years, who has made so many runs, who has won so many matches, for him, he only needs one or two good innings (to bounce back). That is my thinking and I am sure all those who follow cricket will think similarly," he added. Talking about losing early wickets, Sharma said, "I know that when 5 or 6 wickets of the team fall, it is a little difficult to win....they (England) had 6 wickets for 150. After a good partnership, they made 246. It is a