Virat Kohli’s absence from the cricket pitch has been notable over the past two months, with his last appearance being in the INDvsAFG T20 series. Despite his presence in the latter matches of the series, his performance was lackluster, with scores of 29 and 0, citing personal reasons for missing the first match.
According to ‘The Telegraph’, there are strong indications that Kohli may be omitted from the T20 World Cup 2024 squad, set to take place in the USA and West Indies from June 2nd onwards. National selectors have expressed concerns about Kohli’s ability to meet the team’s requirements in the shortest format, suggesting that only exceptional performances in the IPL could sway their decision.
While Rohit Sharma has been confirmed as the captain for the World Cup, Kohli’s role remains uncertain, as confirmed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah during the Rajkot Test. Ajit Agarkar, the BCCI selector, will be responsible for finalizing the squad before May, with sources indicating that it’s a sensitive matter with few willing to intervene.
A conversation between Kohli and chief selector Ajit Agarkar has reportedly addressed the need for a change in Kohli’s approach to suit T20 demands. Despite Kohli’s attempts to adopt a more aggressive style during the T20Is against Afghanistan, his performance didn’t meet expectations, raising doubts about his suitability for the slow wickets expected in the West Indies.
The selectors have long deliberated over Kohli’s inclusion, with no indications of a change in their stance. Uncertainty looms over Kohli’s fate until the provisional squad submission deadline to the ICC in early May.
