T20 World Cup 2024: Virat Kohli to miss warm-up match against Bangladesh

Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli is likely to miss the Men in Blue's warm-up match against Bangladesh ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. According to the latest news reports, Virat Kohli did not travel with the first batch of players to the United States of America for the upcoming ICC tournament.

The first batch of Indian players left for the United States of America on Saturday evening for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to begin on June 1. India captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid, batting coach Vikram Rathour, and several other players departed from Mumbai.

Indian players whose IPL teams didn't reach the playoffs were set to depart for New York on May 25. However, it was later decided that players from teams eliminated early in the IPL 2024 knockout stage would also travel. RCB players Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj were expected to join the first batch.

Mohammed Siraj traveled with Rohit Sharma and the other Indian players, while Virat Kohli was not part of the group. Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel, among others, departed to the USA for the tournament.

Virat Kohli Had Informed Us Way Beforehand - BCCI Official

According to the Indian Express, Virat Kohli extended his break following Royal Challengers Bangalore's exit from IPL 2024. A BCCI official mentioned that Kohli had informed BCCI in advance about his delayed joining. The 35-year-old batter is now expected to depart for New York on May 30.

“Kohli had informed us way beforehand that he will be joining the team late and that is why the BCCI has kept his visa appointment for a later date. He is expected to fly out to New York in the early morning of May 30th. The BCCI has agreed to his request,” a BCCI official told the newspaper.

Virat Kohli is the leading run-getter in the Indian Premier League 2024. The Delhi-born cricketer holds the Orange Cap with 741 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 154.69, including a century and five fifties. Kohli aims to carry this exceptional form to help India secure their second T20 World Cup title.

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson and Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya will depart later than planned. Samson cited "personal work in Dubai" as the reason for his delayed departure. Reports claim that Pandya is currently in London and will join the team directly in the United States of America.