India’s Test legend Cheteshwar Pujara has predicted that Virat Kohli will cross the 15,000-run mark in ODI cricket during the upcoming series against the England national cricket team.
Cheteshwar Pujara has also backed Rohit Sharma to get the better of star fast bowler Joffra Archer in the much-awaited contest in the upcoming series.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are working hard in the nets ahead of England ODI
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had reached the nets only last Saturday, before the three-match ODI series against England. Both the legends reached Birmingham on Saturday, the day of India’s final T20 match. He looked in good shape and had fun during the first training session and will look to take charge and score runs in the ODIs.
Virat Kohli has returned to the ODI team after being ruled out of the Afghanistan series due to a hamstring injury suffered during the final of the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
He went to the COE, obtained the fitness certificate and joined the team before the series. Kohli looked in good form during the net session on Saturday.
On the other hand, Rohit Sharma played the Afghanistan series and scored a total of 143 runs in 3 innings with one half-century.
He looked in good form and worked hard in the first training session last Saturday ahead of the ODI series. Rohit would like to score some big runs in this series to get his form back.
Cheteshwar Pujara predicts Virat Kohli to complete 15,000 runs
Time for some honest opinions #CheteshwarPujara took up the Agree x Disagree Challenge ahead of the 1st ODI, sharing his views on Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and others.
What do you agree with most? #IngWind 1st ODI | Tue, July 14, 2:30 PM | stay… pic.twitter.com/89qt9438OC
– Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 13, 2026
Virat Kohli has scored 14,492 runs in 311 matches in his ODI career, making him the second highest run-scorer in the history of this format. He is just 508 runs away from achieving the 15,000 run mark. He is behind Sachin Tendulkar, who has scored 18,426 runs in 463 ODI matches.
Cheteshwar Pujara believes that Kohli will be successful in achieving the figure of 15,000 runs in this series against England. Kohli has been in great form in the last few series.
Pujara also said that he loves playing in England, as he has scored 1,096 runs in 29 matches at an average of 33.21, which includes two centuries and six half-centuries.
Speaking on Star Sports, the great India Test player said, “Yes, there are very chances that he will reach 15,000 runs. And he loves playing in English conditions. He loves the challenge. So, I am confident that he will reach that figure very soon because he loves the ball coming on the bat.”
Cheteshwar Pujara gives his verdict on Rohit Sharma vs Jofra Archer battle
Pujara also asked whether Rohit Sharma can handle Joffra Archer’s current form. The former batsman believes that the former India captain will handle Archer well, as the speedster has not been able to dismiss the India opener even once in his career in the 50-over format; He has scored 28 runs facing 13 balls against the England fast bowler.
Pujara said, “Rohit has faced different bowlers in the world. He has the experience of playing in English conditions. He will prepare well before the series. And when the first game starts, he will be ready to face Jofra Archer.”
