While there is a lot of debate going around Virat Kohli's place in India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, the star batter is strengthening his selection claims with consistent performance in the ongoing IPL season.
In three matches so far, Kohli has registered scores of 21 (20 balls), 77 (49 balls) and 83* (59 balls) while opening the innings for RCB. He is currently holding the Orange Cap for scoring most runs in IPL 2024 so far.
After his 77-run knock against Punjab Kings, Virat Kohli cheekily emphasized that he still possesses the skills required to flourish in the shortest format of the game.
"I know my name is often used to just promote the T20 game across the world when it comes to T20 cricket these days but I still got it I guess," he remarked at the post-match presentation.
Meanwhile, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa has called Kohli’s statement ‘unnecessary’, stating that there was never a question in mind over his place in the World Cup squad.
Uthappa admitted that while he understood Kohli's intentions through the statement, he felt it was up to the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee to decide whether they want to pick a young squad or go with the experienced players.
“I think what he even said at the last game felt so unnecessary. He didn't have to say that because I think there was never a question in anyone's mind about his ability or what he can bring to the table. As far as batting is concerned, he is a class act, but India hasn't. And he's his intentions, alright, that he wants to be a part of that T20 World cup. Well, it's up to the selectors if they're going to look at a young squad or if they're going to go with the tried and tested veterans who've done really well for the country and for themselves and in the IPL in the past. So that's up to the selectors. But he's kind of stated, okay, I want to go now. I really want to go and give this a one last score to get a T20 World cup as well,” Uthappa said while speaking to JioCinema.
India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup is likely to be announced by the end of April. While the global showpiece tournament is slated to be held in the West Indies and USA from June 1 to June 29, ICC's deadline for team submissions is May 1.
All the participating teams will have the opportunity to modify their preliminary squads until May 25.
"The Indian team will be selected some time during the last week of April, the time by which the first half of IPL will be over and national selection committee will be in a position to assess form and fitness of the contenders," the senior BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.
"The first batch of cricketers will leave for New York immediately after the end of the league stage of Indian Premier League (IPL) on May 19. Those players, whose teams won't qualify for the final four will be going early, like it happened during WTC (World Test Championship) final last year," the source added.
India will open their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign on June 5 against Ireland in New York.
