"Not possible without Virat Kohli at T20 World Cup.."- Former Indian chief selector thrashes Ajit Agarkar

Lashing out at the rumours, former India skipper Krishnamachari Srikkanth has said Virat Kohli is a must in India’s squad for the forthcoming T20 World Cup. Earlier this year in January, Virat Kohli returned to the T20I team after an absence of more than a year.

He was not picked in the team since the 2022 T20 World Cup before being recalled for the series against Afghanistan. Many believed that the recall was a big indication that the former India skipper would be a part of the T20 World Cup squad.

However, a recent report suggests that the selectors are not willing to include Kohli in the World Cup team. As per the report, the star batsman is facing the axe for his failure to cope with the team’s demands in the shortest format of the game. And while only time will tell whether the rumours are true or not, Srikkanth has said the star batsman should be a part of India’s squad.

“No chance. It’s not possible to be without Virat Kohli at the T20 World Cup. He is the one who took us to the semi-finals in T20 World Cup 2022. He was the Man of the Tournament. Who is saying all this? These rumour-mongers, don’t they have any other job? What is the basis for all this chatter? If India have to win the T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli is a must in the squad,” Srikkanth said in his YouTube show.

‘Virat Kohli should be honoured’

Speaking further, Srikkanth said that the Indian team should honour Kohli, stating that the team should win the World Cup for the decorated batsman. He also pointed out the importance of Kohli in the team, saying that the Indian team will need a sheet anchor like the veteran batsman.

“You need a guy who can just stay there. India need that sheet anchor, be it T20 World Cup or ODI World Cup.

“Without Virat Kohli, the Indian team cannot go. We need Virat Kohli, 100 per cent. I still believe Virat Kohli should be honoured like how Sachin Tendulkar was in 2011. The Indian team should win the World Cup for Virat. It will be a great thing for Virat Kohli,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kohli will return to competitive cricket later this month when the IPL 2024 gets underway. He has not played a competitive game since January.