In the modern day of cricket , where Virat Kohli is considered to be the greatest player of the current era due to his pyrotechnics on and off the field, his availability for the upcoming mega event the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 has grown huge interests amongst cricket lovers and fans . Virat Kohli over the years have burdened Indian hopes on his shoulders through immaculate innings in the shortest format of the game will like to give his all in conquest of the elusive ICC title.
Though not playing T20I cricket over a year now the likes of Virat Kohli still remains a popular choice to play in shortest format. The other poster boy of Indian cricket who has carried India’s dream on his shoulder and an successful captain for his franchise in the Indian Premier league, current Indian captain Rohit Sharma is now brewing the headlines with a success on South Africa tour.
The swashbuckling opener Rohit Sharma has once again made himself available for the upcoming mega event the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 which could be his final journey in the conquest of the coveted ICC Title. With the next big thing the ICC World T20 Cup 2024 set to take place in June and the schedule being out for the same, IPL 2024 would be a event for practicing for the ultimate world title in June.
Virat Kohli opted out of marquee 5 Test Match series against England citing personal reasons
With an exciting 5 match series that began on 25th January 2024 between India and England at Hyderabad, it was clear that Team India under the management lead by coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma would miss the services of star ace Indian batter Virat Kohli for the first two tests against the visitor. Virat Kohli pulled out of India’s first two Tests against England for personal reasons.
Virat Kohli had spoken to captain Rohit Sharma, the team management and the selectors and has emphasized that while representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention as said by BCCI . Prior to first test on 25th January 2024 , Virat Kohli reached Hyderabad, the venue of the first of five Tests, on Sunday, but did not attend India’s optional training session on Monday leading to the news that the star batter will miss the bus for the first 2 tests versus England at home.
India dismissed England for 292 runs in their second innings on day four to register a series-levelling 106-run win in the second Test. Resuming at 194 for six, England lost the remaining four wickets in the post-lunch session to be bowled out in 69.2 overs as India levelled the five-match series 1-1. India had scored 396 and 255 in their two innings, while England were dismissed for 253 in their first essay. India had lost the opening Test by 28 runs in Hyderabad.
You can’t make your team without Virat Kohli- Mohammad Irfan
Former Pakistani pacer Mohammad Irfan slams the critics questioning sensational Virat Kohli’s place in the upcoming T20I World Cup. As per the reports from the Telegraph, the Indian selectors are pondering dropping Virat Kohli from the squad for the marquee event. It is despite that the 35-year -old returning to the Indian T20I side after after the 14-month hiatus for the Afghanistan series at the start of 2024.
Virat Kohli is the all time leading scorer in the T20 World Cup history with 1141 runs at an incredible average of over 81 in 27 games. Speaking on News 24, Irfan lashed out at Kohli’s critics questioning their knowledge regarding the game.
“He won the matches in recent times, it’s not fair to raise questions on his place. Those questioning Virat Kohli’s place in the T20 World Cup belong in gully cricket. I don’t have any second thoughts about it, you can’t make your team without Virat Kohli because he is a very big batsman,” said Irfan.
Irfan also pointed to Kohli single-handedly winning games for India in last year’s ODI World Cup to highlight his importance to the side.
“We all saw what he did in the ODI World Cup last year, Virat Kohli won 3-4 matches in the World Cup for India on his own. If Kohli didn’t step up on that occasion, India would have lost 3-4 matches including group-stage matches against Australia and New Zealand where India lost early wickets. He finished the match on his own,” added Irfan.