Amid reports of star India batter Virat Kohli’s possible ouster from India’s T20 World Cup squad, former England pacer Stuart Broad has shared his views on the same. Kohli has been out of action since the conclusion of T20I series against Afghanistan, and also missed the five-match Test bilateral against England, citing personal reasons. Ahead of his return to action in the Indian Premier League (IPL) later this month, reports have emerged over the past couple of days that Kohli might not be in Team India’s plans for the T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be played in West Indies and the USA.
Reacting to a social media post, Broad hoped that reports are not true, claiming that Kohli will be the biggest draw in the USA during the marquee event.
“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,” Broad posted on X.
Though players’ places in the T20 squad will be defined on the basis of the IPL 2024 campaign, a report has claimed that chief selector Ajit Agarkar has been asked to ‘convince’ Virat to make way for youngsters in the team.
As per a report in The Telegraph, Virat was informed by Agarkar about the need for a change in his approach. The conversation prompted Kohli to bat more aggressively in T20Is against Afghanistan but could only register the highest score of 29 in a match.
The report further claims that the selectors are of the opinion that the slow wickets in the West Indies wouldn’t suit Kohli’s natural game as a batter. Hence, the selection committee has been assessing its options for the showpiece event.
The chief selector, Agarkar, has also reportedly taken up the task to convince Kohli that he has to make way for the younger generation in the shortest format.
The likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube are some of the players who could be used in the middle-order if Kohli steps aside. But, all is not over for Kohli yet. It is also believed that Virat’s fortunes could change if he goes on to have an exemplary season with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, prove the selectors that he can play in the modern T20 mould.
