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With reports surfacing of the Indian team management not considering Virat Kohli for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, former Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth has once again voiced his say with the marquee tournament set to be played in June this year. The former cricketer, who was stunned by the reports of Virat Kohli being kept out of the mega tournament, also highlighted the claimers, labelling them “rumour mongers”.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the ex-Chairman of Selection Committee, vehemently defended Virat Kohli’s place in the side. It is to be noted that Kohli made a return to T20 format against Afghanistan after last featuring in the T20 World Cup Down Under in 2022. Srikkanth emphasised the pivotal role Kohli has played in the side’s success, including his instrumental performance helping India enter the semifinals of the last t20 World Cup.
“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,” he said in his YouTube channel. “He is the one who took us to the semifinals in T20 World Cup 2022. He was the Man of the Tournament. Who is saying all this? These rumour-mongers, don’t they have any other job?” he added slamming the false reporters.
To conclude his say, Srikkanth further asserted, “If India have to win the T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli is a must in the squad. I still believe Virat Kohli should be honoured like how Sachin Tendulkar was in 2011.”
It is to be noted that Kris Srikkanth’s comments come after reports suggested that if the star batter doesn’t meet the demands of the format and unless he changes his approach and plays aggressively in the IPL 2024, he won’t be considered for the T20 World Cup. However, none of the BCCI officials commented on the same.