Virat Kohli is set to begin what could be his final ODI tour of England as India take on the hosts in the first ODI at Edgbaston on Tuesday. The match also marks a significant personal milestone for the batting great, who is set to play his 300th ODI for India.Ahead of the series opener, England head coach Brendon McCullum paid glowing tribute to Kohli, describing him as one of cricket’s greatest ambassadors whose legacy will outlive his playing career.McCullum, who shared the Royal Challengers Bengaluru dressing room with Kohli during the IPL, reflected on the Indian star’s relentless competitiveness and global influence.“I had the privilege of playing with him for a year at RCB. I got to share the dressing room with him, got to know him and thoroughly enjoyed his company. He’s a highly competitive person and leaves nothing out on the field. He plays with all his heart and is an immense cricketer,” McCullum said in the video shared by ECB on X, ahead of the first ODI.“He’s inspired generations of people to love cricket. He’s one of those players who transcends the sport. He’s become a real rockstar, not just in cricket or India, but around the world and across different sports. When his time is up, his legacy will live on long after he’s played the game,” he added. McCullum, however, ended with a smile, adding: “I’d still want him to make no runs in this series! But we wish him well. He’s a fierce competitor and an absolute champion.”

Kohli returns to his favourite format

After missing the Afghanistan ODIs , Kohli returns to India’s ODI setup for the three-match series against England. The 37-year-old has an impressive record in England, scoring 581 runs in 16 ODIs at an average of 38.73, including one century and four fifties, with a highest score of 107. Kohli is also on the verge of another major milestone. He needs 68 more runs to surpass Rahul Dravid and become India’s highest run-scorer in ODIs in England.

India eye fresh start after T20I disappointment

India head into the ODI series looking to bounce back after suffering a 4-0 defeat in the preceding T20I series. With senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma returning, the visitors will hope to make a strong start to their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.The first ODI will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham, with the match scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM IST (11:00 AM local time).