'Can’t Be True': Stuart Broad Left Shocked By Reports Of Virat Kohli's Likely Omission From T20 WC

Legendary England pacer Stuart Broad has reacted to the report that suggested Virat Kohli is likely to be excluded from India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad.

As Virat Kohli gears up for his return to action through the IPL 2024 in less than two weeks, a report in The Telegraph India earlier this week stated that the BCCI officials and the selectors have all but decided to not include the 35-year-old superstar cricketer in India’s T20 World Cup squad.

The T20 WC in the West Indies and the USA will be played immediately following the IPL 2024. It has been learned that Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, has talked with Virat Kohli over his strike rate in T20 cricket.

The report said, “Only a superlative effort from Kohli in the IPL could force a change in plans since the national selectors believe he hasn’t been able to cope with the team’s needs in the shortest format.”

The primary reason for the selectors’ reported belief in not picking Kohli for the T20 World Cup is that “the slow wickets in the West Indies wouldn’t suit him”.

Kohli is the all-time leading run-scorer in the T20 World Cup. He averages a whopping 81 in the tournament, having notched up 14 half-centuries in 25 innings and he’s the only player in history to be twice named Player Of The Tournament in the T20 World Cup. Yet, this report suggests the BCCI and selectors are doubting Kohli.

Virat Kohli is the biggest draw of any player in the world: Stuart Broad

This led to a huge furore on social media with fans slamming the BCCI.

England pacer Stuart Broad, who retired from international cricket last year, was left surprised by this report and said that there is no way Kohli will be omitted. Apart from Kohli’s cricket skills, Broad pointed out the Indian superstar’s marketing reach; the ICC and the broadcasters’ selling point for this event in the USA – and every ICC event over the past many years – has been Virat Kohli.

Stuart Broad tweeted: “This can’t be true. Just from a fans point of view of growing the game, the ICC putting games on in America, India Vs Pakistan in New York, Virat is the biggest draw of any player in the world, I’m sure he will be selected”