The T20 World Cup 2024 starts shortly after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League 2024, offering India another chance to break their long-standing ICC trophy drought. Many players want to be selected for India's 15-member team for the 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA.
India's thought tank has meticulously evaluated player performances throughout the IPL season, seeing it as an opportunity to assess potential candidates for the prestigious ICC tournament. Some team positions are still available and will be carefully considered, but let’s take a closer look at an Indian cricketing legend, Virat Kohli.
India’s Batting
Virat Kohli, currently leading the run-scoring charts with 316 runs in five innings at an impressive average of 105.33 and a strike rate of 146.30 in the ongoing IPL season, should be the focal point of India's batting lineup.
In IPL 2024, the right-handed player has achieved three scores of 50 or more, with the best being an undefeated 113 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Rajasthan Royals.
Kohli's strike rate when opening the batting for RCB this season has surpassed his total IPL strike rate of 130.63 by a substantial margin. This intriguing shift in his role sparks curiosity about how the Indian cricket team will utilise Kohli in the next T20 World Cup, keeping the audience engaged.
While he has taken on the job of being the aggressive opener for RCB this season, Kohli has also shown his ability to stabilise an innings when necessary. His undefeated score of 113 against Rajasthan and 83 not out against Kolkata Knight Riders indicate his exceptional versatility, instilling confidence in his adaptability.
Considering this, let's examine the specific position that Kohli may be assigned in the next T20 World Cup this June.
India at T20 World Cup 2024: Kohli Is a Must!
Krishnamachari Srikkanth, a former Indian captain and ex-chairman of the selection committee, has strongly advocated for Virat Kohli's inclusion in the Indian T20 World Cup team, dismissing any contrary reports. This strong endorsement from a respected cricketing figure should instil confidence in the audience about Kohli's suitability for the team.
In January, Virat Kohli returned to playing T20I matches after not participating at the top level of the game's shortest format since the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal defeat to England. He made his comeback against Afghanistan in a three-match series, scoring 29 and 0 in two matches. The selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, expressed their intention to once again include Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma in the T20I line-up, therefore underlining their desire to do the same for the T20 World Cup.
Srikkanth underlined Kohli's crucial role in the team's success, stressing his outstanding performance in the last T20 World Cup, when he led India to the quarterfinals.
"There is no possibility or opportunity. Virat Kohli's presence in the T20 World Cup is vital. He led us to the semifinals in 2022.
“Who is the speaker of these words? Do these individuals who spread rumours not have any other occupation? What is the foundation for all this conversation? For India to secure victory in the T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli must be included in the team," Srikkanth said on his YouTube program.
Kohli's Performances at World Cups
Since his international debut, the former India captain has shown himself to be a very skilled player who consistently leads his team to victory. During T20 World Cups, he has accumulated 1,141 runs in 25 innings, with an exceptional average of 81.50 and a strike rate over 130.
In addition to his remarkable statistics, he was consecutively awarded the title of Player of the Tournament in the 2014 and 2016 editions of the T20 World Cups.
His exceptional performances in important matches, such as his unbeaten score of 72 against South Africa in 2014, his unbeaten score of 82 against Australia in 2016, and his famous unbeaten score of 82 against Pakistan in 2022, are unparalleled and have a unique significance for Indian fans. Curiously, Kohli managed to retain one end as wickets were lost at the other.
Kohli’s presence at the World Cup would undeniably be felt in many facets. Not only will he boost odds with new sport betting sites in India, but when considering the aforementioned statistics of the past, he could be crucial in giving the squad an edge in experience for those high-pressure moments.
Harsh Team Selections Ahead
According to sources, the national selectors and team management are prepared to make tough choices before the competition. The BCCI has chosen not to intervene and delegated the decision-making responsibility to the selection committee and the team management. It was also said that Kohli might be excluded from the World Cup roster.
Srikkanth praised Kohli's adaptability in T20Is, addressing worries about his strike rate. He highlighted Kohli's outstanding performance in the 2022 T20 World Cup when he emerged as the leading run-scorer. Srikkanth emphasised the need for a dependable mainstay in the batting lineup, particularly in the demanding circumstances anticipated in the West Indies.
"You need an individual who can remain. India needs a reliable and stabilising force, whether in the T20 World Cup or the ODI World Cup. Virat Kohli's absence means India cannot go. We require Kohli without any doubt," he said.
Srikkanth passionately implored the Indian squad to unite in support of Kohli and vigorously pursue World Cup success as a homage to his significant achievements in Indian cricket. Srikkanth compared Sachin Tendulkar's legendary victory in the 2011 ODI World Cup. He stated his conviction that Kohli similarly deserves recognition and envisioned a triumphant campaign headed by the esteemed batsman.
Kohli at T20 World 2024 is a No-Brainer
Given the significant changes in T20 dynamics, modern batters now display a more aggressive approach right from the beginning. IPL 2024 has seen two remarkable team scores this year, with SRH achieving a score of 277 against MI and KKR achieving a score of 272 against DC.
Given the pitch conditions in the West Indies, which are unlikely to favour high-scoring matches, it is logical and promising to include Kohli in India's lineup for the upcoming T20 World Cup. His potential role in the middle order as a stabilising force could bring balance to the dynamic and aggressive approaches of Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rohit Sharma, giving the audience hope for a strong batting lineup.
India has produced several exceptional cricketers, but Virat Kohli stands out as unparalleled in the contemporary period. Considering the strong contenders for the opening batting positions, such as Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill, it is logical to designate Kohli as the team's anchor for the T20 World Cup. This decision is justified by his skill in adapting to match conditions and his vast experience in high-pressure situations, which are common in ICC events