There’s been talk about whether Virat Kohli will play for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Even though he was back in the team after a break, recent reports suggest he might not be chosen.
The decision-makers seem unsure, especially about Kohli. While Rohit Sharma is confirmed as the captain, Kohli’s place is uncertain. Reports say it’s because his style of batting might not work well on slow pitches, especially in the Americas.
Now, it would appear as if the decision-makers are having second thoughts, at least when it comes to Kohli. While BCCI secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that Rohit will lead India’s challenge at the World Cup, recent reports indicate that his predecessor might not quite make the cut owing entirely to cricketing reasons. Hindustan Times – your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Assuming these reports are accurate, chief selector Ajit Agarkar has been saddled with the unenviable task of conveying the message to the former captain that he won’t be required for the World Cup because, apparently, his style of batting in the abridged version might prove counter-productive on the traditionally slow, low surfaces in the Americas where one has to make his own pace and where timing alone will not suffice.
Unlike some other Indian players who are strong hitters, Kohli focuses more on timing and placement. But his stats are impressive. He has a good average and strike rate in T20 matches. He’s played some crucial innings for India in the past.
Some people think Kohli’s style suits the team’s needs. They believe he can be the anchor around which other players can score quickly. But others think India needs a different approach to win trophies.
In some quarters, the conviction that Kohli is more industrious than destructive has taken concrete shape. Kohli has struck 361 fours (average 3.31 per innings) and 117 sixes (average 1.07) in his 109 hits in international T20s. That translates to about 19 or at best 20 runs, on an average, in boundaries per innings, well below half his batting average, lending credence to the theory of him being more reliant on placement and frenetic running between the wickets to score briskly. That has served Kohli, and the Indian team, quite well in the past and there could be an argument to stick with that for the World Cup too, given that around him is a plethora of unabashed ball-strikers who can smote the little orb a mile and that he could be the hub around which the rest can operate.
Some people think Kohli’s style suits the team’s needs. They believe he can be the anchor around which other players can score quickly. But others think India needs a different approach to win trophies.
India’s matches will be in the US and the West Indies. Kohli has played there before, but his stats are not as good as in other places.
We’ll have to wait and see if Kohli gets picked. His performance in the IPL could influence the decision. But whatever happens, it’s sure to get people talking.
Just how correct reports pointing to Kohli’s ouster are remain to be seen. Kohli might just have a stunning first half of IPL 2024 for Royal Challengers Bangalore and make himself undroppable. Or the decision-makers might bite the bullet and decide it’s time to move on. Whichever way the cookie crumbles, it’s certain to trigger talking heads. Oh wait, it already has, hasn’t it?