T20 World Cup 2024: Sourav Ganguly confirms Virat Kohli's role in the Indian team

Former Indian captain and BCCI president, Sourav Ganguly, was really impressed by Virat Kohli’s hammering as an opener for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the ongoing IPL 2024.

Praising Kohli’s dominance in the ongoing IPL 2024, Ganguly suggested a batting position for India's batting maestro for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which will kick off on June 1 in the USA and Caribbean.

In a crucial IPL 2024 match for RCB, Kohli displayed his best performance of this season to help his team record a convincing 60-run victory over the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on May 9.

Sourav Ganguly impressed by Virat Kohli's IPL 2024 heroics

Virat Kohli's explosive knock of 92 runs off just 47 balls, laced with 7 fours and 6 sixes, has not only secured the fifth win of the season for RCB but also brightened their chances to make it to the IPL 2024 Playoffs. RCB has two more games remaining to give their best shot for a playoff berth.

The dashing right-hander is currently the leading run scorer in the ongoing IPL 2024, with a total of 634 runs in 12 innings at an impressive average of 70 and a remarkable strike rate of 153.51.

Kohli has had to face criticism for his strike rate in previous matches this season, especially during his century against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and his 51-run off 43 balls knock against the Gujarat Titans (GT).

But the 35-year-old batting maestro has responded strongly to his critics with aggressive batting in recent matches in the ongoing IPL 2024. However, Kohli's newest beast mode has been praised by former players and cricket experts.

Sourav Ganguly backs Virat Kohli to open for India at T20 World Cup 2024

Meanwhile, Sourav Ganguly, Director of Cricket of the Delhi Capitals (DC), lauded Kohli's blistering form in the ongoing IPL 2024 and suggested that the RCB opener should open the innings for the Indian cricket team in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. India will kick off their campaign against Ireland on June 1 in New York.

Sourav Ganguly was quoted as saying by PTI: “Virat is playing exceptionally well. The way Kohli batted last night, 90 in quick time, you need to use him as an opener in the T20 World Cup. He should open, evidenced by his last few IPL innings which have been outstanding.”

Speaking about India’s 15-member preliminary squad for the mega event, the legendary cricketer opined: “This is an excellent squad. I think they have picked the best possible squad. Apart from batting depth, bowling looks excellent.”

Ganguly signed off by saying on the high-scoring nature of T20 cricket, “This is going to be the trend in the years to come. T20 cricket has become a power-oriented game and that's what it is going to be. I don't believe in formats. I believe in skills. These are exemplary players who will thrive in all formats.”

Here’s India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2024:

Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj. Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan.