Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has explained Virat Kohli’s inclusion in India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The former India captain’s inclusion has become a major talking point thanks to his much talked about success rate in T20s.
While Virat Kohli has scored many goals across formats, he has faced criticism of late for his strike rate. The selectors even reportedly asked him to bat aggressively to meet the team’s demands before calling him up to the T20I squad earlier this year.
In the ongoing IPL 2024, the right-handed batsman has been dazzling but criticism over the strike rate has not eluded him. So far, he has scored 500 runs in 10 matches with the help of 1 century and four half-centuries. Only Ruturaj Gaikwad has scored more goals than him in the current competition.
Ajit Agarkar defends Virat Kohli:
With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the team, many believe that India does not need two top-three players who like to build the innings and can’t really start scoring at a fast pace right from the start like many modern T20 batsmen.
And while Virat Kohli faces criticism for his scoring rate, Ajit Agarkar has stated that it is not even a point of discussion between the selectors and the team management. The former India pacer noted that Virat Kohli’s experience will be a big boost for the team.
“We have not been discussing his strike rate. There is a difference between IPL and international cricket. You need experience. We have enough balance and power in the team. You look and try to take the positive out of what is happening in IPL. Pressure “A World Cup match is different.” Ajit Agarkar downplays talk of Virat Kohli’s strike rate.
Kohli started smiling when asked about Rohit Sharma’s form in T20Is during the World Cup 2021. Rohit started smiling when asked about Virat Kohli’s strike rate today.
– Two best companions on the field forever..!!!! pic.twitter.com/oxGztG87cj
—Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 2, 2024
Virat Kohli had enjoyed a stellar career in the last edition of the T20 World Cup. He had scored 296 runs in 6 games with the help of four half-centuries and an astonishing average of almost 100. The Indian team hopes that their star batsman will also repeat his performance in the upcoming World Cup.