T20 World Cup 2024: Virat Kohli's strike rate a concern for India? Rohit Sharma smiles, Ajit Agarkar says this

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has explained Virat Kohli's inclusion in the 15-member India 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 strike-rate in T20s.

While Virat Kohli has been scoring heavily across formats, he has faced criticism in recent times because of his strike rate. As per reports, the selectors even asked him to bat aggressively to suit the team's demands before recalling him to the T20I team earlier this year.

In the ongoing IPL 2024, the right-handed batsman has been stunning but the strike-rate criticism has not evaded him. So far, he has scored 500 runs in 10 games with the help of 1 century and four half-centuries. Only Ruturaj Gaikwad has scored more than him in the ongoing competition.

Ajit Agarkar defends Virat Kohli:

With both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the team, many believe that India do not need two players in the top three who like to build the innings and cannot really start scoring at a fast pace right from the start like many modern T20 batters.

And as Virat Kohli faces criticism over his strike rate, Ajit Agarkar has stated that it is not even a point of discussion among the selectors and the team management. The former India pacer pointed out that Virat Kohli's experience will be a big boost for the team.

"We haven't been discussing his strike rate. There is a difference between IPL and international cricket. You need experience. We have got enough balance and power in the team. You look and try take positives from what is happening in IPL. Pressure of a World Cup game is different." Ajit Agarkar plays down talks surrounding Virat Kohli's strike rate.

Kohli started smiling when he was asked Rohit Sharma's form in T20I during the World Cup in 2021 🤝 Rohit started smiling when he was asked Virat Kohli's strike rate today.

- Two Best mates in the field forever..!!!! pic.twitter.com/oxGztG87cj

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 2, 2024

Virat Kohli had enjoyed a stellar run 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 amazing average of almost 100. The Indian team will be hoping that their star batter replicates his performance in the upcoming World Cup as well.