The selectors are reportedly not willing to include Virat Kohli in the India squad for this year’s ICC T20 World Cup. The former India skipper returned to the T20 team in January this year after an absence of more than a year.
He as well as captain Rohit Sharma were not picked in the T20I team after the 2022 T20 World Cup before being recalled for the three-match T20I series at home against Afghanistan. While Rohit marked his return to T20Is by scoring a fine century in the third game, Virat Kohli registered scores of 29 and 0 in two outings.
And while Rohit’s participation in the T20 World Cup has already been confirmed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, Virat Kohli’s participation is not confirmed. While many believed that his return against Afghanistan all but confirmed his participation in the T20 World Cup, reports suggest that Virat Kohli can still face the axe.
Virat Kohli doubtful for T20 World Cup:
According to a report in The Telegraph, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel is not keen on picking Virat Kohli for the T20 World Cup as the selectors as well as team management believe the veteran has failed to cope with the team’s needs in the shortest format.
The report further stated that the BCCI had left the decision of Virat Kohli’s participation in the marquee event to chief selector Ajit Agarkar. With India not winning an ICC trophy since 2013, the selectors are willing to take some big and bold calls for the upcoming ICC event.
As per the report, Virat Kohli could put himself in contention for the tournament only if he enjoys a superlative campaign in the upcoming IPL 2024. The likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube are above Virat Kohli in the pecking order at the moment. The wickets in the West Indies could also hurt Kohli’s chances.
“It is also believed that the slow wickets in the West Indies wouldn’t suit him. The selectors have been toying with the idea for some time now and there has been nothing to suggest about a change in plans,” stated the report.
Meanwhile, the provisional squad for the T20 World Cup has to be sent to the ICC in the first week of May. India are in Group A along with Pakistan, Ireland, USA and Canada. The Men in Blue will open their campaign against Ireland on June 5.
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