Will Virat Kohli Play T20 World Cup 2024?
Virat Kohli | Source: X.com
The schedule for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, beginning on June 2 in New York, was announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday, January 5.
Team India is slated to play a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, kicking off on January 11, in preparation for the prestigious tournament. Meanwhile, the BCCI is yet to announce the squad for the series.
The squad for the upcoming Afghanistan series promises to answer on the T20 return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – the Indian maestros last seen in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, when India suffered a semifinal exit against England.
Amidst all the discussion, it's crystal clear that crafting a T20 World Cup squad for Team India without Virat Kohli is simply unthinkable. He has been the backbone of the team in the shortest format, consistently delivering in past T20 World Cups.
Virat Kohli in T20 World Cups
Virat Kohli has been India's most successful batter in T20 World Cups, as evident from the stats below.
| Year | Runs | Avg/SR |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 185 | 46.25/122.52 |
| 2014 | 319 | 106.33/129.15 |
| 2016 | 273 | 136.50/146.77 |
| 2021 | 68 | 34/100 |
| 2022 | 296 | 98.67/136.41 |
Even in the latest T20 World Cup hosted in Australia, Virat Kohli emerged as a cornerstone for Team India, playing a crucial part in propelling them into the semifinals.
Another compelling argument for having Virat Kohli in the T20 World Cup 2024 squad is the team's likely shortage of experience. With a relatively green squad, Kohli's seasoned batting skills could serve as a valuable asset for the Men in Blue.
On the other hand, considering the unique hosting by the USA and West Indies for the upcoming T20 World Cup, the demanding conditions highlight why having Virat Kohli on the squad is crucial. His extensive experience on slower wickets can be a game-changer.
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