As absurd as it may sound, Virat Kohli might not get a spot in Team India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is set to be co-hosted by West Indies and the USA in June this year.
As per reports, there’s a feeling within BCCI that the slow nature of pitches in the West Indies might not be a good fit for Virat Kohli’s technique. The selectors think that Kohli might not help Team India’s cause due to his play-safe-first approach, which hampers the team’s chances of scoring fast in the middle overs.
However, there’s no official statement from The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), but as per reports, the Indian Cricket Board has tasked Ajit Agarkar to convince Kohli to make way for the young players in T20Is.
Kohli hasn’t played any T20 internationals since the 2022 T20 World Cup but is set to play in the IPL 2024 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Rumours are rife that the seasoned Indian player will have to put on a show for the RCB to get into contention for the T20 WC, which suggests that the doors are not entirely closed for the 35-year-old Indian superstar.
Rohit Sharma to Lead Team India In T20 World Cup: Jay Shah
During a function in function to rename the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium last month, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah announced that Rohit Sharma will be leading Team India in the upcoming T20 World Cup, but failed to confirm whether Kohli would be part of the team or not.
“In 2023 (final) at Ahmedabad, even though we did not win the World Cup after 10 straight wins, we won hearts. I want to promise you that in 2024 (T20 World Cup) in Barbados (venue for the final), under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, ham Bharat ka jhanda gaadenge (we will hoist the Indian flag),” Shah said.
The hierarchy at BCCI also feels that players like Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube can add more value than Kohli in the T20I format.
