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 performances in the ongoing IPL season.
In five matches so far, Kohli has registered scores of 21 (20 balls), 77 (49 balls), 83* (59 balls), 22 (16 balls) and 113* (72 balls) while opening the innings for RCB. He is currently holding the Orange Cap for scoring most runs in IPL 2024.
However, Kohli’s runs haven’t been able to bring success for the RCB as the franchise has lost four of the five games. As a result, his strike rate has been questioned by many fans and cricket experts alike.
In particular, Kohli drew flak on social media following his 67-ball hundred in RCB’s six-wicket defeat against Rajasthan Royals in the last fixture.
Amid the outrage, West Indies legend Brian Lara has advocated for Virat Kohli’s inclusion in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, slated to be held in the West Indies and USA from June 1 to June 29.
“The strike-rate depends on position, and for an opener strike-rate of 130-140 is pretty alright. But if you are coming in the middle-order then you may be required to hit at 150 or 160. As you have seen in this IPL, batsmen are hitting at 200 in the latter part of an innings.
“But an opener like Kohli always has the chance of starting at 130, bat through the overs and finish at 160 or even higher, which is alright,” Lara said during the Star Sports Press Room, which was also attended by former India batter Ambati Rayudu.
“But if you ask me, India's top three in the World Cup should be Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill irrespective of all these. And for RCB, it should not be about one person, as it has to be a team effort,” he added.
Lara opined that Kohli and Rohit Sharma opening the innings in the T20 World Cup could be a tempting option, but he suggested India to pair a youngster with the veteran player at the top.
“I think Rohit and Virat going as openers to the West Indies (for WC) will serve India very well. Though, I think that you should have some youthful punch in the opening. One of the younger players, showing their mettle, and having one of those experienced players shepherd the innings in the middle-order.
“Having that whole experience up front, it could have a negative effect if they get dismissed early, so I will use one at top, but use the other at No. 3," he remarked.
That brought up the subject of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has failed to set the IPL 2024 stage on fire so far. The southpaw entered the cash-rich tournament after a brilliant Test series against England but he is ye to make a notable contribution so far, registering scores of 24, 5, 10 and 0 from four innings.
According to Lara, the youngster might be a bit nervous about the T20 World Cup 2024 team selection.
“He had a very, very special Test series for India earlier this year. But I think he is a bit too anxious (about selection). It reflects in batting as there is not a lot of body or foot movement. He certainly has the ability but he is rushing to play the shots,” said Lara.
The 54-year-old West Indian advised Jaiswal to focus on the task at hand. “It is quite natural that the young players like Jaiswal or Gill or Abhishek Sharma or Riyan Parag are a bit anxious. They know that if they score runs here, they can get into (India’s) World Cup team. But you need to separate those two thoughts.
“I had struggled with that in my playing days. My advice to them is to focus on the IPL, do your best to get runs and the World Cup (selection) will take care of itself,” he added.
(With PTI Inputs)
