4341 days later! Only Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain from India’s last ODI XI in Cardiff

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (Image credit: Agencies) NEW DELHI: It has been 4,341 days – or 11 years, 10 months and 19 days – since India last stepped on the field for an ODI at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.On Thursday, India will finally return to the same venue for the second ODI of the three-match series against England. Shubman Gill’s side already lead the series 1-0 after a convincing six-wicket win in the opener at Edgbaston in Birmingham.But for many fans in Cardiff, this game is about more than just a series. It marks the return of two familiar faces – Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – to the ground where they last played together in India’s famous win in 2014.When India last played an ODI at Sophia Gardens in August 2014, Mahendra Singh Dhoni led the side to a dominant 133-run (D/L method) over England.Fast forward almost 12 years and only Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain from this Indian playing XI in the current squad.Also England have only two players from this match – Joe Root and Jose Buttler.The return of these four players adds a touch of nostalgia to Thursday’s contest.

The day Suresh Raina stole the show

India produced one of their best ODI performances in Cardiff in 2014.They batted first at 304/6 in 50 overs, powered by a magnificent century from Suresh Raina, who smashed 100 off just 75 balls, hitting 12 fours and three sixes.Rohit Sharma contributed a steady 52 off 87 balls while skipper MS Dhoni added an unbeaten 52 off 51 deliveries.However, Virat Kohli suffered a rare failure and got out for a duck.Rain revised England’s target to 295 in 47 overs, but the hosts never got going. The Indian bowlers bundled them out for 161 in 38.1 overs, sealing a 133-run victory in the Duckworth-Lewis method.Raina was named Man of the Match and India won the five-match series 3–1, with one match abandoned due to rain.

Kohli’s Cardiff masterclass 2011

Interestingly, Kohli featured in both the ODIs that India played at Sophia Gardens.His first appearance came in 2011 when he played one of the best innings of his early ODI career.The then young batsman hit 107 off 93 balls but his century ended in defeat as England chased down a revised target to win by six wickets (D/L method) with 10 balls to spare.

Kohli and Rohit vs England

Kohli has enjoyed considerable success against England in ODIs over the years.In 39 ODIs, he scored 1,402 runs at an average of 40.05, including three centuries and 10 half-centuries.Meanwhile, Rohit has scored 857 runs in 24 ODIs against England at an average of 45.10, with three hundreds and four fifties.