Former selector of team India sends Agarkar & Co. strict message over Kohli in T20 WC says, Kohli doesn’t have to prove his quality in IPL

Former chief selector of BCCI MSK Prasad has come in support of the premium batsman Virat Kohli in the middle of the reports of his place being in danger for the T20 World Cup squad of the Indian cricket team. According to a report in the Telegraph, the selectors are having second thoughts about retaining the premium batsman of team India, Virat Kohli, in the T20I scheme of things as the upcoming season of Indian Premier League will be essential for the star of Royal Challengers Bangalore to silence his critics.

Earlier this year, during the Afghanistan T20Is, the batting maestro of team India was recalled in the T20I set-up. After the 2022 T20 WC alongside Rohit Sharma, he made himself unavailable for selection in the T20Is, but the duo made a return to the format with the series against Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, MSK has backed Kohli to get a place in the T20 World Cup squad and also suggested that the Indian Premier League is not a place for a player like him to prove his credentials.

On Monday, Prasad told the official broadcasters of IPL, “Kohli is important for the Indian cricket team in the T20 World Cup 2024. The selectors can’t think that Virat has to prove his quality in IPL.” Prasad further said, “Virat was never out of the team for his form. He missed the matches in India for family reasons. He has been in form for a long time and is going to make runs in this IPL as well.”

Also Read: Former Spinner of India Harbhajan has his say on whether Rohit Sharma would be comfortable playing under Hardik Pandya or not

In T20 Internationals, Kohli is the leading run-getter, with 4037 runs in 117 T20Is, with an average of 51.75. He also had an excellent last season of IPL, where he scored 639 runs, which included two centuries and six fifties.

Meanwhile, he also talked highly of the legendary captain of Chennai Super Kings, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who will be in action once again this season at the age of 42.

Prasad added, “At the age of 42 years, Dhoni is still playing for Chennai Super Kings, which shows his commitment to the team. Playing for a single franchise for so many years, Captain Cool has made a huge impact on the team and also on the fans.”

The former chief selector of the Board of Control for Cricket in India pointed out Dhoni’s commitment to his franchise by mentioning that he played the last season despite a knee injury.

As he added, “Dhoni played for whole of the season with injured leg and also won the title.”