Kris Srikkanth, the former Chief Selector of the Indian cricket team, has vehemently dismissed the circulating rumours about Virat Kohli’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup 2024 squad. Srikkanth, a stalwart of Indian cricket, has always been known for his forthright views, and this instance was no different.
The rumours began to swirl following media reports suggesting that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was considering not including Kohli in the squad due to his approach not being suited to the slow tracks in the West Indies and USA. These reports caused a stir among cricket fans and experts alike, given Kohli’s outstanding record in T20 World Cups.
What did Kris Srikkanth say?
In response to these rumours, Srikkanth took a firm stand, stating, “No chance. It’s not possible to be without Virat Kohli at the T20 World Cup. He is the one who took us to the semi-finals in T20 World Cup 2022. He was the Man of the Tournament. Who is saying all this? These rumour-mongers, don’t they have any other job? What is the basis for all this chatter? If India has to win the T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli is a must in the squad.”
Kris Srikkanth’s defence of Kohli is not surprising, considering Kohli’s instrumental role in taking the team to the semi-finals of the previous edition of the T20 World Cup. Kohli, who last played a T20I against Afghanistan in January 2024, has been a consistent performer for India in the shortest format of the game.
Kris Srikkanth further opined that Kohli deserves a tribute on par with Sachin Tendulkar in 2011 and that the team should win the trophy for him. He added, “You need a guy who can just stay there. India needs that sheet anchor, be it T20 World Cup or ODI World Cup. Without Virat Kohli, the Indian team cannot go. We need Virat Kohli, 100 per cent. I still believe Virat Kohli should be honoured like how Sachin Tendulkar was in 2011. The Indian team should win the World Cup for Virat. It will be a great thing for Virat Kohli.”
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