There is no doubt about the fact that Rohit Sharma will be leading India’s charge in the T20 World Cup 2024, slated to be played in the USA and West Indies in June. But the same cannot be said about Virat Kohli’s position in the side. BCCI secretary Jay Shah has already confirmed Rohit as the captain of India for the T20 World Cup but about Kohli, he said the former captain’s role in T20Is will be discussed in due course.
As things stand now, the selectors are in a fix about Virat Kohli’s position in T20Is. Both Rohit and Kohli decided to take a break from the shortest format after India’s loss in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022. Hardik Pandya was given the charge of the T20I side but after the all-rounder was ruled out of the ODI World Cup with an ankle injury, there was a change in stance.
The BCCI officials and the selectors got in touch with Rohit and Kohli to know whether they were keen on playing T20Is and both the stalwarts replied in the affirmative. The Indian T20I side saw the return of Rohit and Kohli in T20Is after about 15 months during the home series against Afghanistan.
With youngsters pushing their case and the format changing course rapidly, the selectors were a bit sceptical about Kohli’s place. If the latest report in The Telegraph is to be believed then the doubt has only gotten stronger.
According to the report, Kohli “hasn’t been able to cope with the team’s needs in the shortest format.” He will only be considered if he has a “superlative IPL” for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Sources said that the national selectors and the team management are ready to take some harsh decisions keeping the T20 World Cup in mind.
The final call might rest on chief selector Ajit Agarkar as the BCCI top officials don’t want to get involved in this. “It remains a very delicate matter and not many are willing to get involved,” the source said.
