Virat Kohli to join Indian camp ahead of warm-up fixture against Bangladesh on June 1 - Reports

Virat Kohli didn’t fly with the first batch of the Indian squad to New York.

The first batch of the Indian Cricket Team reached the United States of America (USA) on May 25 to kick start their preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which will start on June 1. However, star batter Virat Kohli didn’t travel with the first batch.

The Indian players have departed for New York in multiple batches according to when their respective Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise’s tournament ended.

Captain Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and substitutes Shubman Gill and Khaleel Ahmed left in the first batch.

The second batch contained Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Avesh Khan. Rinku Singh, who was involved in the IPL 2024 final, flew in another batch after Sunday’s final.

Head coach Rahul Dravid, batting coach Vikram Rathour, and other Team India support staff departed for USA in the first batch.

However, Kohli didn’t fly with the first batch, which raised questions about his availability for the warm-up fixture against Bangladesh.

Later on, a report was published by the Indian Express which quoted that the 35-year-old Kohli had asked for a mini break after the IPL 2024, where his franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), reached the playoffs. The report further added that the Indian stalwart had informed the BCCI beforehand that he would be joining the Indian camp late.

Virat Kohli to join Indian camp ahead of warm-up fixture vs Bangladesh

India will take on Bangladesh in their only warm-up match on June 1. India’s first match in the main tournament is on June 5, against Ireland.

As per the latest development, star batter Virat Kohli is expected to join the Indian squad before their warm-up fixture. It is understood that the 35-year-old will fly to the USA at the end of this month.

“He will reach New York before the warm-up vs Bangladesh on June 1. Whether he plays or not in the warm-up will be management’s call – whether they feel there is enough gap between him landing and the warm-up fixture,” a source told News18.com.

Virat Kohli won the Orange Cap in IPL 2024

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opener Kohli had a phenomenal run in IPL 2024. Kohli amassed 741 runs at an average of 61.75, including a century against the Rajasthan Royals, and won the Orange Cap. 

Previously, Kohli won the Orange Cap in 2016, when he had a record-breaking season with the bat, amassing 973 runs.

India squad for T20 World Cup 2024:

Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Reserve players: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan

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