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'Can't Form A Team Without Him,' Ex-PAK Star On Kohli's Reported T20 World Cup Ouster

Virat Kohli made a comeback to India's T20I side in January [X.com]Virat Kohli made a comeback to India's T20I side in January [X.com]

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Irfan has insisted it would be a big mistake if Team India contemplated dropping legend Virat Kohli from their squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean & USA. Irfan said India can't form a team without Kohli for the biannual ICC tournament scheduled to be played in June. 

Despite his comeback to India's T20I squad via the Afghanistan series in January, fresh speculations emerged on Kohli's fate in the shortest format on Tuesday (March 12) as 'The Telegraph' reported the great batter could be dropped for the T20 World Cup. 

The report noted how BCCI secretary Jay Shah may have confirmed Rohit Sharma as India's captain for the marquee tournament but hasn't been as open talking about Kohli's presence and importance to India's fortunes. 


Irfan Bats For Kohli's T20 World Cup Inclusion 

It was also suggested by the England-based newspaper that chief selector Ajit Agarkar could be having discussions with Kohli regarding his spot in the T20I side, based on his lack of suitability to the spin-friendly conditions in the West Indies and USA. 

Speaking to News24, however, Irfan emphasised how critical the 35-year-old veteran right-hander remains to India's hopes of reclaiming the T20 World Cup crown, having not won the trophy since winning the tournament's inaugural edition in 2007. 

"I have no doubts about it; you cannot form a team without Virat Kohli because he is a colossal batsman. We all witnessed his performances in the ODI World Cup last year. Virat Kohli won 3-4 matches for India in the World Cup all by himself," Irfan said. 

"If Kohli hadn't stepped up on those occasions, India would have lost 3-4 matches, including group-stage encounters against Australia and New Zealand, where India lost early wickets. He finished those matches single-handedly," he added. 

Notably, Kohli was India's leading run-getter at the previous iteration of the T20 World Cup in 2022 in Australia and had been in stellar form before he went on a paternity leave ahead of the Test series against England at home.