India may opt not to include Virat Kohli in their squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to take place in the USA and West Indies, as per a report by The Telegraph India.
After India’s disappointing exit from the 2022 T20 World Cup, where they suffered a 10-wicket defeat against England in the semi-final, Virat Kohli did not feature in any T20I matches for over a year.
Furthermore, Kohli returned to the shorter format earlier this year alongside Rohit Sharma for a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. While Sharma played in all matches, Kohli only participated in two matches.
Sharma’s presence in the 2024 World Cup is confirmed, with BCCI secretary Jay Shah announcing that he will lead the team. However, Kohli’s inclusion is uncertain, despite his stellar performances in recent T20I tournaments.
Despite being named Player of the Tournament in the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups, Kohli may face exclusion from the squad as the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, doubts whether he still possesses the skills required for the shorter format.
The report suggests that only an exceptional performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 could improve Kohli’s chances of making the World Cup squad, as players like Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Rinku Singh are currently ahead of him in the selection hierarchy.
Additionally, concerns are raised about Kohli’s adaptability to the slow wickets in the West Indies. The selectors have reportedly been deliberating over this decision for some time, with no indication of a change in their plans.
“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,” the report said.
With India failing to win an ICC tournament since 2013, the selection committee is considering making a bold decision, potentially leaving Kohli out of the squad.
