Virat Kohli sends bold message to Ajit Agarkar and takes dig at Ravi Shastri over T20 WC selection

India National Cricket Team and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batting superstar, Virat Kohli, spoke his heart out at the post-match presentation ceremony while having an interaction with the veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle following his heroics in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) on March 25.

Virat Kohli was the chief architect behind the victory of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 6th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Opening the innings, Virat Kohli stood strong at one end and smashed 77 runs off 49 balls to help his team win the match by 4 wickets.

Speaking after the match, Virat Kohli, who won the Player of the Match award, said that creating memories is more important for him than the records. He said:

“It’s been going on for years (love story with fans at Chinnaswamy). People talk about a lot of other things when you play sport – achievement, stats, numbers. But when you look back it’s the memories you create. The love, appreciation and backing I’ve received has been amazing.”

Virat Kohli also revealed that his role at RCB is to provide his team with blazing starts as an opener but the wickets falling at regular intervals made things tougher for him. He also expressed disappointment over not being able to finish the match and losing his wicket at a crucial juncture in the match. He elaborated:

“I try to give the team a blazing start, but if wickets fall you have to assess. Wasn’t the usual flat pitch. Disappointed I couldn’t finish the game. Was in the slot but sliced it to deep point. They know I play the cover drive well, so they’re not going to allow me to hit gaps. You have to come up with a game plan here and there.”

I know my name is now attached to just promoting the game in different parts of the world – Virat Kohli

Recently, reports emerged in the media that claimed that Virat Kohli is expected to be left out of India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad as his batting style won’t be ideal for the conditions that will be on offer in the USA and the West Indies.

Also, speaking on air during the match between GT and MI, former England batter Kevin Pietersen said that Virat Kohli is needed in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup as he will help the game to grow in the USA.

“The World Cup is happening in the USA. India are playing Pakistan in New York. You’d want someone like a Virat Kohli to help the game grow,” Pietersen said.

Ravi Shastri rejected Kevin Pietersen’s statement and in response said that growing the game is not more important than winning the tournament and India should go with the flamboyant players in the World Cup.

“It’s not about growing the game, it’s about winning the competition. The game will grow wherever it needs to grow. What I’m trying to say is no baggage. And India won in 2007 T20 World Cup with a young side. You want youth. You want flamboyance. You want that dash,” he had said.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli seemingly spoke about the reports of his T20 World Cup 2024 snub and took a dig at Ravi Shastri as well, saying that he has still got it and his name is being used to promote cricket in different parts of the world. He said:

“I know my name is now attached to just promoting the game in different parts of the world when it comes to T20 cricket. I’ve still got it I guess.”

Virat Kohli signed off by talking about the two-month break he took to spend time with his family and a newborn. He said:

“Just to feel normal for two months – for me, my family – it was a surreal experience. Couldn’t have been more grateful to God for the opportunity to spend time with the family. It’s an amazing experience to just be another person on the road and not be recognised. That’s the promise I can give here – I’ll keep turning up and keep trying me best.”