Virat Kohli is arguably the greatest batter to ever grace the cricketing field, having led India to countless victories in all three formats of the game. However, he might miss out on India’s squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Speculations are rife over his exclusion from the national squad for the tournament which is scheduled to take place in the USA and West Indies from June 1.
According to reports from The Telegraph India, Kohli’s place in the team is far from certain, raising eyebrows among cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
The uncertainty surrounding Kohli’s selection stems from his absence in T20I matches following India’s disappointing exit from the 2022 T20 World Cup, coupled with lacklustre performances upon his return to the shorter format earlier this year.
Despite Rohit Sharma’s confirmed leadership role in the 2024 World Cup, Kohli’s future remains shrouded in doubt.
Both star batters remained absent from India’s T20I games following the T20 World Cup 2022, with Hardik Pandya filling in as captain.
They made their return to the squad for the Afghanistan series earlier this year, where Virat Kohli scored 0 and 29 in two matches.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah’s announcement of Sharma’s captaincy further fueled speculation about Kohli’s exclusion as he remained silent about Kohli’s role in the T20 World Cup.
The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, reportedly doubts that Virat Kohli is currently suitabile for the shorter format, a stark departure from his previous accolades as Player of the Tournament in the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups.
The decision to potentially sideline Kohli underscores the selection committee’s quest for rejuvenation and bold decision-making to enhance India’s chances of ICC tournament success.
Players like Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Rinku Singh are purportedly ahead of Kohli in the pecking order, with the slow wickets of the West Indies cited as a potential deterrent to Kohli’s inclusion.
However, Kohli can make a strong case for his selection with a strong showing in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).
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