England former pacer Stuart Broad has responded to the report that claimed Virat Kohli might not make it to India’s T20 World Cup 2024 team.
With less than two weeks remaining until the IPL 2024 kicks off, all eyes are on Virat Kohli as he prepares for his comeback. However, according to a recent report in The Telegraph India, it seems that the BCCI officials and selectors have made a significant decision regarding the 35-year-old cricket icon’s participation in India’s T20 World Cup squad.
Set to take place in the West Indies and the USA right after the IPL 2024, the T20 World Cup seems to be excluding Kohli from its roster. Sources reveal that Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, has engaged in discussions with Kohli regarding his strike rate in T20 cricket.
The report said, “Only a superlative effort from Kohli in the IPL could force a change in plans since the national selectors believe he hasn’t been able to cope with the team’s needs in the shortest format.”
The selectors’ rumored decision to overlook Kohli for the T20 World Cup allegedly stems from concerns about the slow wickets in the West Indies not being suited to his style of play.
It’s puzzling because Kohli boasts an incredible record in the T20 World Cup, being the top run-scorer of all time. With an astonishing average of 81 and 14 half-centuries in 25 innings, he’s a standout performer. Additionally, Kohli has been named Player of the Tournament twice, a feat unmatched by any other player.
The news sparked outrage on social media, with fans criticizing the BCCI for doubting Kohli’s abilities. Even former England pacer Stuart Broad, who retired recently, expressed disbelief at the idea of Kohli being left out. Broad highlighted not only Kohli’s cricketing prowess but also his immense marketing appeal. Kohli’s presence has been a key selling point for ICC events, especially in markets like the USA, making his omission seem unlikely.
Stuart Broad tweeted: “This can’t be true. Just from a fans point of view of growing the game, the ICC putting games on in America, India Vs Pakistan in New York, Virat is the biggest draw of any player in the world, I’m sure he will be selected.”
Akash Chopra, the former Team India batsman turned commentator, has emphasized that rumors suggesting Virat Kohli’s omission from the T20 World Cup squad lack credibility. According to Chopra, Kohli’s prowess on slow pitches, where he reigns supreme, makes him ideally suited for the format.
Akash Chopra said: “This is totally rumours & Not true at all on Virat Kohli’s place in T20 WC 2024. I mean how, who’s spreading this rumours. And I heard slow pitches didn’t suit him. Slow pitches will suit Virat Kohli the most,He is actually ‘The King’ on those slow pitches.”
