In a surprising turn of events, former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has emphatically voiced his support for Virat Kohli’s inclusion in India’s squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Speculation arose when reports surfaced suggesting that Kohli might be left out due to concerns over his batting style adapting to the slow wickets of the USA and West Indies.
Unwavering Support: Kaneria’s Bold Statement
Speaking exclusively to IANS, Kaneria expressed disbelief at the notion of overlooking Virat Kohli. “How can you ignore him (Virat)? He should be in the Indian team. He is scoring runs; this is not the time to look beyond Kohli, but it is time to have Kohli in our team, who can also groom the youngsters,” Kaneria asserted. He further praised India’s current performance and left no room for doubt, stating, “Kohli should be in the Indian team.”
Backing from Mohammad Irfan: Street Cricket Critics Dismissed
Danish Kaneria isn’t the only former Pakistani cricketer backing Kohli. Mohammad Irfan also threw his support behind the Indian batsman, dismissing critics as those who “belong to street cricket.” Drawing parallels with Kaneria’s sentiments, Irfan echoed the importance of keeping Virat Kohli in the Indian team, emphasizing his instrumental role in defeating Pakistan single-handedly during the 2022 T20 World Cup.
A Glance at Kohli’s T20 International Brilliance
Delving into Virat Kohli’s T20 International career, the statistics paint a compelling picture. Kohli has amassed an impressive 4037 runs, remaining unbeaten 31 times in 109 innings across 117 matches. These figures stand as the highest runs by any batsman in this format of international cricket. While his highest score is 122 runs, he boasts an impressive 37 half-centuries. Kohli’s strike rate of over 138.16 underscores his prowess in T20 cricket, even outshining his compatriot Rohit Sharma, whose strike rate hovers around 140.
Conclusion: A Resounding Call for Kohli’s Inclusion
As the debate surrounding Virat Kohli’s participation in the T20 World Cup intensifies, the resounding support from former Pakistani cricketers adds an intriguing dimension. With Kaneria and Irfan both vouching for Kohli’s indispensable presence, the cricketing world eagerly awaits the final decision from the Indian cricket selectors. Will Kohli don the Indian jersey in the T20 World Cup 2024? Only time will unveil the answer to this gripping cricketing saga.
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