Virat Kohli had T20I role clarity discussions in South Africa: Report

Virat Kohli is back with India’s T20I side after a gap of 14 years and his return to the team has divided opinions. While it was felt in a few circles that the Indian selectors had moved on from Kohli, his return has created excitement for fans and experts. Kohli has 4008 in 115 T20Is at a strike rate of 137.96, which is often seen as an area where the star batter can improve.

Now it has been reported that chief selector Ajit Agarkar had a meeting with Kohli in South Africa recently. As per a report in Cricbuzz, Agarkar met Kohli in Cape Town where the second India vs South Africa Test was played. Kohli was reportedly given clarity about his role.

One of the other factors that has emerged as a concern about Kohli’s batting is his poor strike rate against spinners in middle overs. A role he is expected to play for India in T20Is. In IPL 2023, he boasted a strike rate of 110 against spinners in middle overs.

The Afghanistan three-match T20I series is India’s last international assignment in the shortest format of the game ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 which starts in June.

Apart from Kohli, Rohit Sharma also made a return to the squad and will captain India. Rohit and Kohli last played for India in T20Is in 2022 Their last match was the semi-final defeat to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup.

The return of Kohli and Rohit is sure to disrupt the team balance and it will be interesting to see what combinations are opted for by coach Rahul Dravid.

As far as the squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 is concerned, it has been reported that Afghanistan T20Is will not be the final test. The selectors have drawn a pool of 30 players who will be closely monitored during the IPL 2024 and the final squad will be picked from among them.

Virat Kohli had T20I role clarity discussions in South Africa: ReportRead More