MUMBAI: India is reportedly contemplating the exclusion of Virat Kohli from the team’s roster for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The next T20 World Cup will be held in June in the West Indies and the United States.
Kohli has been absent from T20I matches for over a year since his team’s exit from the 2022 T20 World Cup, where they suffered a ten-wicket loss to England in the semi-finals. Despite Kohli’s return to T20 cricket earlier this year for a series against Afghanistan, his participation in the 2024 World Cup remains uncertain. While Rohit Sharma’s presence in the squad has been confirmed, Kohli’s inclusion remains doubtful, despite his past strong performances in T20 tournaments.
According to media reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is concerned that the slow wickets in the West Indies may not suit Kohli’s style of play. Additionally, the selection committee is questioning Kohli’s suitability for the shorter format.
The decision on Kohli’s inclusion will largely depend on his performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year. The selection committee is also contemplating the inclusion of younger players like Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh in the squad.
The final squad for the T20 World Cup is expected to be submitted to the International Cricket Council (ICC) by the first week of May, following an evaluation of the players’ performances in the IPL.
