Virat Kohli Demands Clarity For T20 World Cup Role, BCCI Considers Unexpected Change

In the lead-up to finalising the squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, the Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI ) convened a pivotal meeting in Mumbai with skipper Rohit Sharma , head coach Rahul Dravid, and selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar. Among the topics under scrutiny were the positions of influential players like Virat Kohli and all-rounder Hardik Pandya .

The ongoing debate surrounding Kohli's strike-rate, exacerbated by his performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, and Pandya's inconsistent batting and bowling displays have intensified the discussions.

During the Mumbai meeting, it was revealed that Virat Kohli sought clarity regarding his role in the upcoming T20 World Cup. With Yashasvi Jaiswal struggling in the IPL, Kohli has been proposed to open alongside captain Rohit in the forthcoming tournament, as reported by Dainik Jagran.

Kohli, who frequently opens for his IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore and currently leads the run charts, is viewed by the selection committee as an ideal candidate for the opening slot. Shubman Gill , displaying good form this season, is being considered as a secondary option for opening in the T20 World Cup.

In T20I cricket, Kohli boasts a strike-rate of 161 as an opener, while his overall strike-rate stands at 138. Notably, Kohli's solitary T20I century was achieved while opening the batting.

In terms of the middle-order composition, the BCCI is contemplating the inclusion of young talents such as Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube, with Riyan Parag also being evaluated for selection.

However, Kohli's potential role as an opener could potentially sideline Yashasvi Jaiswal from the Indian team. With time remaining before the BCCI finalises the T20 World Cup roster, Jaiswal will be eager to regain form and stake his claim for the opening position in the team.