IND vs WI: The BCCI Wanted A Full-Strength Team For The West Indies T20Is, But Virat Kohli Insisted For Rest - Reports

Virat Kohli was left out of India’s squad for the T20I series against the West Indies. According to reports, the BCCI wanted to select the batter, but he insisted on a break, to which the board agreed. Kohli may have to wait until the Asia Cup to play again.

Over the past few months, Virat has taken numerous breaks. He also was not chosen for the T20 International series against South Africa. However, this break appears to have occurred as a result of the batter’s long-standing bad form.

Virat Kohli’s role in the team has come under scrutiny from certain former players and experts, but the controversy over his withdrawal from the T20Is against the West Indies has been much more intense.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not formally said why Kohli is not playing, although it has been reported that the legendary batsman requested a break.

Before the T20I squad was formally revealed, rumours that Kohli and Bumrah wanted a break circulated. While Bumrah is rumoured to have been rested as part of workload management, Kohli’s vacation was not something the selectors had in mind. However, it was the 33-year-old who requested permission from the BCCI to skip the series.

‘Virat Kohli insisted he wanted a break’: Reports

The board’s main intent was to assemble the strongest team possible, including Kohli, but they were forced to omit the batter.

“A full-strength T20I team from the current England tour was what the team management and selectors were looking for. But Kohli said he needed a break and was not interested in going to the West Indies,” a BCCI source, as reported by the Times of India.

“To keep an eye on his workload, Jasprit Bumrah was given some downtime. A break from the ODIs was necessary for Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Hardik Pandya,” the source added.

It has also been reported that Kohli has informed the BCCI that he will be available for the Asia Cup, following which India will face Australia in a three-match T20I series, followed by the T20 World Cup Down Under.

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