The debate around the media report that the BCCI selectors might not consider
Virat Kohli
for the
T20 World Cup
in June this year has been one of the hottest in cricket corridors over the past week, and former selector and India opener
Kris Srikkanth
lambasted it as the work of jobless "rumour mongers".
The Indian team will be led by Rohit Sharma, as confirmed by the BCCI secretary Jay Shah earlier this month. However, the inclusion of Kohli for the tournament is not certain, according to a report published in 'The Telegraph'.
The report mentioned that India's failure to win an ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy may force the selectors to take a few tough decisions, including that of leaving out former captain Kohli.
But Srikkanth refuted those reports as mere rumours.
"No chance. It's not possible to be without Virat Kohli at the T20 World Cup," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. "He is the one who took us to the semi-finals 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? What is the basis for all this chatter? If India have to win the T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli is a must in the squad."
Kohli was India's top run-getter in the 2022 T20 World Cup with 296 runs in six innings.
The report states that the selectors believe Kohli hasn't been at his best in the T20 format, but that thought may demand a rethink if Kohli comes out all guns blazing this IPL season.
The batting icon had taken a break from the five-Test series against England to welcome the arrival of his second child.
"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%. 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," said Srikkanth.
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