T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma demands Virat Kohli in the Indian team from the selectors- Reports

Ahead of the BCCI’s big announcement for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has reportedly asked the national selectors to select batting maestro Virat Kohli for the upcoming mega event in the USA and West Indies.

India’s top four, consisting of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav, are almost finalized for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, but now an ESPNCricinfo report claims that if India plans to include both Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh in their T20 World Cup squad, they'll face a tough decision.

India will need to sacrifice either a backup wicketkeeper or a backup bowler. The competition might boil down to Rinku versus a reserve fast bowler. Flexibility in the top order would have helped, but India's options are limited to a one-dimensional lineup.

Virat Kohli confirmed for the T20 World Cup 2024 by Rohit Sharma

Dropping one or two from the top four seems like the only way to accommodate power-hitters in the T20 World Cup squad. However, Rohit Sharma's captaincy has already been confirmed, with Virat Kohli likely to be included for his temperament, making it challenging for Indian selectors to choose between them.

Well, Yashasvi Jaiswal, the lone left-hander in the top order, and Suryakumar Yadav, world's number one T20 batter, are almost certain selections for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. According to ESPNCricinfo, Rohit has now conveyed to the national selectors that he wants Kohli in his team for the upcoming showpiece event.

Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja has reportedly secured a spot as the primary spin all-rounder in the starting XI, pushing Axar Patel to the role of backup spinner for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. This call would leave Kuldeep Yadav as the sole wrist-spinner in the 15-member squad.

There is another big challenge for the Indian selectors to find out Jasprit Bumrah's pace-bowling partner for the upcoming multi-nation event, especially due to Mohammad Shami’s injury. Arshdeep Singh is likely to fill the role of the left-arm pacer, given his knack for swinging the new ball.

Avesh Khan likely to partner Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball

Since Arshdeep’s performance in the death overs during the ongoing IPL 2024 has been inconsistent, Avesh Khan's height and ability to generate bounce make him another tough contender to partner Bumrah, while Mohammed Siraj is also under consideration for the T20 World Cup 2024.

Speaking about Kohli's present form, the former Indian skipper is in great form with the bat in the ongoing IPL 2024. Kohli is currently making the most runs for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the lucrative T20 league. The former RCB skipper is currently leading the race for the Orange Cap with 500 runs in 10 matches so far in the ongoing IPL 2024.

Earlier, Kohli told Star Sports about his strike rate, which is quite debatable among the cricket experts: "Not really, I think all the people who talk about strike rates and me not playing spin well are the ones who loves talking about these stuff [numbers]. But for me, it's just about winning games for the team and there's a reason why you do it for 15 years because you have done it day in and day out."

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