After India’s humiliating 10-wicket defeat against England in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final, Virat Kohli has kept his distance from T20 international cricket. When it seemed that he will make his return to format with the upcoming T20 series against South Africa, he took a break from white-ball cricket. Now, more clouds are hovering over Virat Kohli’s T20I career as BCCI is in talks with him regarding his future.
Ishan Kishan likely to replace Virat Kohli in T20 World Cup 2024, reports
As per reports, BCCI wants an aggressive batsman for the no.3 batting position in the T20 World Cup 2024 who can carry the team to a big total. The board is looking to handover the role to Ishan Kishan. In the recently, concluded series against Australia, Kishan batted at the no.3 position and scored 110 runs in 3 games with two fifties and a strike rate of 144. BCCI selectors are expected to have a word with Virat Kohli regarding his T20I future soon.
The report further states that Virat Kohli’s performance in IPL 2024 may change BCCI’s mind and consider him for the selection. The T20 World Cup is scheduled to play in June 2024 just after the IPL. India will play only two T20I series before the mega event; against South Africa in December 2023 and against Afghanistan in January 2024. Virat Kohli has already ruled himself out from South Africa’s white-ball tour.
Taking about Ishan Kishan, in 32 T20Is for India, he has scored 796 runs with a strike rate of 124+. Ishan Kishan has represented India in 2021 T20 World Cup where he got only one match to play in which he scored 4 runs. He was not selected in India’s squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup as selectors preferred experienced Dinesh Karthik over him.
But now Ishan Kishan has cemented his place in the Indian side. Since scoring a double century in ODI cricket he has been a regular member of the ODI squad. In the 2023 World Cup squad, he was selected over Sanju Samson. Now the recent report suggests that he can be India’s permanent no.3 in T20Is.
On the other hand, BCCI is considering Rohit Sharma to lead the side in the mega event. So far, Rohit has led India in three ICC tournaments; the 2022 T20 World Cup, WTC 2021-23, and World Cup 2023. The team didn’t get a hand on the title in all three events but the overall performance of the team under him was exceptionally well. As per reports, he was asked to lead India’s T20I side against South Africa but he requested a break.
Virat Kohli has represented India in 5 T20 World Cups
Virat Kohli made his T20 World Cup debut in 2012 and went on to become India’s highest run-getter in the very edition. He then played in the 2014, 2016, 2021, and 2022 editions. Currently, he holds the record for the highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history with 1141 runs.
Despite giving his all, Kohli has yet to lift the trophy. His closest chance was in 2014 when India lost in the final against Sri Lanka. He was named the Player of the Tournament in that edition. The T20 World Cup trophy has remained a missing piece in Kohli’s legendary cricketing career.
