Rohit Sharma said we need Virat Kohli for T20 World Cup at any cost, claims former Indian cricketer

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are India’s top two highest run-scorers in the ICC T20 World Cup history.

Whether Virat Kohli will play in the T20 World Cup 2024 or not remains an intriguing topic of discussion. This is due to the fact a report in the Telegraph sent shockwaves in the Indian cricket fraternity as it suggested that the BCCI doesn’t want Kohli to be part of the India squad for the ICC event.

Virat Kohli has not played for India since the Afghanistan T20Is, which was his first outing in the format since the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. Kohli was the highest run-getter in the tournament but India lost to England in the semi-finals.

Kohli didn’t play in T20Is in 2023 to focus on the Asia Cup and World Cup but returned to the team against Afghanistan. However, a report in the Telegraph has stated that the national selectors and the team management are ready to make some harsh decisions ahead of the tournament including looking past Virat Kohli.

The decision-making in this matter has been delegated to the team management and selection committee by the BCCI, which has no desire to become involved. Since, according to a source, it “remains a very delicate matter and not many are willing to get involved,” Agarkar will essentially be making the decision.

It is believed that younger players like Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav are better equipped to lead the team.

Additionally, it’s said that he wouldn’t be comfortable with the West Indies’ slow wickets. The selectors have been kicking around the concept for a while, but nothing has emerged to support a revision in the original plans.

“Nincompoops should not involve themselves in selection process”- Kirti Azad on the report of Virat Kohli being dropped from the Indian squad for T20 World Cup

However, in the latest wake of developments, former India all-rounder Kirti Azad refuted all those claims as the 1983 World Cup winner stated that captain Rohit Sharma has told BCCI secretary Jay Shah that the teams need Kohli “at any cost.”

Refuting claims about Kohli’s possible omission from the T20 World Cup, Azad wrote a post on the microblogging website ‘X’, saying “nincompoops should not involve themselves in the selection process” without taking a name.

“Why should Jay Shah, he is not a selector, to give responsibility to Ajit Agarkar to talk to the other selectors and convince them that Virat Kohli is not getting a place in the T20 team. For this, time was given till 15th March. If sources are to be believed, Ajit Agarkar was neither able to convince himself nor the other selectors. Jay Shah asked Rohit Sharma too but Rohit said we need Virat Kohli at any cost. Virat Kohli will play the T20 World Cup and its official announcement will be made before the team selection. Nincompoops should not involve themselves in selection process,” Azad posted.

Why should Jay Shah, he is not a selector, to give responsibility to Ajit Agarkar to talk to the other selectors and convince them that Virat Kohli is not getting a place in the T20 team. For this, time was given till 15th March. If sources are to be believed, Ajit Agarkar was… pic.twitter.com/FyaJSClOLw

— Kirti Azad (@KirtiAzaad) March 17, 2024

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.