Virat Kohli finds support from Srikkanth: 'Who is saying all this? Don't they have any other job?'

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Virat Kohli has found support from Kris Srikkanth amid reports suggesting that the BCCI selectors are set to leave the star batter out of India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad.

Media reports recently suggested that chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his selection committee was set to take the big decision as Kohli's batting style wasn't matching the template set by the Indian team management. It added that youngsters like Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube and Tilak Varma would be given preference as India look to end their 11-year wait for an ICC trophy.

Srikkanth has slammed the reports, asserting that Team India will need Virat Kohli in the squad if they want to win the T20 World Cup which will be held in the USA and the West Indies in June. He said the Indian squad would be incomplete without a player like Virat Kohli, who has mastered the art of anchoring the innings.

"No chance (Virat missing out on T20 World Cup). It is not possible to be without Virat Kohli at the T20 World Cup. He is the one who took us to the semi-finals in the T20 World Cup 2022.

"He was the Man of the Tournament (in 2014 and 2016 editions). Who is saying all this? These rumour-mongers, do not they have any other job? What is the basis for all this chatter? If India has to win the T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli is a must in the squad," Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel.

"You need a guy who can just stay there. India need that sheet anchor, be it T20 World Cup or ODI World Cup. Without Virat Kohli, the Indian team cannot go. We need Virat Kohli, 100 per cent. I still believe Virat Kohli should be honoured like how Sachin Tendulkar was in 2011.

"The Indian team should win the World Cup for Virat. It will be a great thing for Virat Kohli," added the former batter. Notably, Virat is the highest run-getter in T20I cricket. In 117 matches, he has scored 4,037 runs at an average of 51.75 and a strike rate of over 138, with a century and 37 fifties in 109 innings. His best score is unbeaten 22", he added.

Virat Kohli aim solid IPL 2024 run for T20 World Cup ticket

The former India captain will be aiming to make a statement in the upcoming IPL 2024 which starts from March 22. He will be in action on the first day as his team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the tournament opener.

Kohli would be aiming to pile up runs, and at a high strike rate to grab the attention of the selectors and make a case for himself in the lead up to the World Cup. The likes of Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shivam Dube have made a name for themselves in the shortest format of the game with their ability to play ultra-aggressive cricket from ball one.

A more traditional Kohli has piled up runs but his strike rate, especially at the start of the innings has been in question. He scored 639 runs in IPL 2023 at an average of 53.25 and a strike rate of 139.82.