Virat Kohli has been India's stalwart across all formats of the game. He might be the highest run-scorer of the ODI World Cup 2023, but his spot in the India squad for the T20 World Cup in June is reportedly not secure.
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Earlier reports suggested that in a lengthy five-hour meeting involving key figures like captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid, and the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar, a blueprint for the T20 World Cup has been outlined, potentially excluding Kohli.
Furthermore, according to Sportstak, Kohli might not be selected for India's upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, scheduled to commence on January 11.
The star batsman has been spotted discussing at length about his T20 future with coach Rahul Dravid but there is allegedly no fix.
Despite his ODI success, Kohli is reportedly not the preferred choice for the No.3 position in T20Is. The selectors are seeking a player with an attacking style from the start, and Ishan Kishan is emerging as the frontrunner for the No.3 spot. The opening slots are expected to be filled by Yashasvi Jaiswal or Shubman Gill alongside Rohit.
In the middle order, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja are slated to secure the next slots, leaving limited room for Kohli. This decision marks a strategic shift in the T20I lineup, emphasizing aggressive play and potentially sidelining Kohli despite his stellar ODI performances.
However, the final decision will hinge on Kohli's performance in IPL 2024, and discussions with selectors are anticipated regarding his T20I plans shortly.
When did Virat Kohli last play T20I for India?
Virat last played a T20I for India back in the 2022 T20 World Cup when the men in Blue went down to England in the knockout stage at the Adelaide Oval. Kohli registered a half-century in that match in 40 balls.
What is Virat Kohli's record in T20I?
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 115 | 107 | 31 | 4008 | 122* | 52.73 | 2905 | 137.96 | 1 | 37 | 356 | 117 | 50 | 0 |
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