The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering dropping Virat Kohli from the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 which casts a long shadow of doubt. The BCCI is reportedly prioritizing younger talents for the marquee tournament. This news comes despite Kohli’s recent return to the T20I format in the Afghanistan series, where he scored 0 and 29 in the two matches he played.
The former Indian captain’s last T20I appearance before that was back in the 2022 World Cup final against England. While both Kohli and Rohit Sharma, India’s current T20I captain, were expected to add experience to the team in the upcoming World Cup, Kohli’s inclusion seems far from certain.
Likewise, Sharma, who also had not played T20Is since the 2022 World Cup final marked his appearance in the recent Afghanistan T20I series. He is poised to lead the squad in June, while Kohli’s fate remains undecided. The BCCI is reportedly looking at his performance in the upcoming IPL 2024, starting March 22nd, as a deciding factor. A stellar performance might earn him a spot, but underperformance could pave the way for younger players.
Dropping Virat Kohli may pave way for youngsters
Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Rinku Singh are all frontrunners to replace Kohli in the batting order if he is not selected. The BCCI reportedly believes the slow wickets in the West Indies, one of the co-hosts of the World Cup, would not be suited to Kohli’s aggressive playing style. This aligns with the selectors’ apparent preference for a more flexible batting lineup.
India’s placement in Group A alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and the United States potentially presents opportunities for experimentation. The BCCI might use this group stage to solidify their batting order, potentially favoring players who adapt better to these conditions.
Kohli’s absence, if confirmed, would mark a significant shift in Indian T20I strategy. With a young brigade waiting in the wings, the BCCI seems to be prioritizing future success and building a cohesive unit for upcoming T20 World Cups. While Kohli’s experience remains invaluable, the question remains: will his performance in the IPL be enough to convince the BCCI to overlook concerns about his recent form and suitability for the West Indies pitches? Only time will tell if Kohli can turn the tide and reclaim his spot in the T20 World Cup squad.
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