The Indian cricket team is reportedly considering dropping Virat Kohli from the squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. This news has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, given Kohli’s stature and contributions to Indian cricket.

BCCI to look beyond Virat Kohli?

Virat Kohli, one of the most accomplished batsmen in the world, has been a mainstay of the Indian cricket team for over a decade. His aggressive style of play, coupled with his ability to perform under pressure, has earned him a place among the greats of the game.

However, recent reports from the Telegraph suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is contemplating dropping Kohli from the T20 World Cup squad. The decision is reportedly based on Kohli’s recent performances in the T20 format and the team’s need to build for the future.

Kohli was out of the T20 team for 14 months before making a surprise return for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan along with Rohit Sharma. BCCI secretary Jay Shah later confirmed that Rohit would lead India in the global event while not saying anything about Kohli’s T20 future.

The report further states that the BCCI has left the responsibility of deciding Virat Kohli’s future to the chief selector, Ajit Agarkar. The former player spoke to Virat about the need to play aggressively in his game’s shortest format at the international level.

Kohli tried the template against Afghanistan but failed. The management (Roihit and Dravid) feels that the slow wickets of West Indies and USA will not suit Virat’s batting; thus, Ajit Agarkar will convince the veteran to make way for a young player.

However, Kohli’s performance for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League 2024 will be measured and provides an outside chance of making it to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 squad.

Who could replace Viart Kohli at the T20 WC?

The top brass of the BCCI feel players like Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube add more value to the team than Kohli. These players have proven their mettle in the recent series against South Africa and Afghanistan. But just like Kohli, this young pool of players will be closely observed in the upcoming IPL, which provides a selection path for the mega event.

The decision to potentially drop Kohli is a significant one, given his immense contributions to Indian cricket. While the news has undoubtedly disappointed Kohli’s fans, it is also a reminder of the high standards that international cricketers are expected to maintain.

Despite the setback, Kohli’s career is far from over. He remains a key part of the Indian Test and ODI teams, and his experience and leadership will continue to be invaluable. Furthermore, he will have the opportunity to prove the reports wrong in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.

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