Kris Srikkanth, former Indian captain and ex-chairman of the selection committee, has strongly backed Virat Kohli's inclusion in the Indian T20 World Cup squad, dismissing any speculation suggesting otherwise.
Following his T20 comeback against Afghanistan in January, where he scored 29 & 0 in two matches, Kohli's return to the T20I lineup alongside Rohit Sharma signaled the selectors' intention for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Srikkanth underlined Kohli's pivotal role in India's past T20 World Cup campaigns, particularly his standout performance in the 2022 edition, where he led the team to the semi-finals and was named the Man of the Tournament.
Dismissing rumors about Kohli's exclusion, Srikkanth stated, "It's not possible to exclude Virat Kohli from the T20 World Cup squad. He was the driving force behind our success in the previous edition. These rumors hold no weight; Kohli is indispensable for India's chances in the tournament."
While acknowledging concerns about Kohli's strike rate in T20Is, Srikkanth praised his adaptability and highlighted his stellar performance in the 2022 T20 World Cup as evidence of his importance to the team's success.
"We need a dependable anchor in the batting order, especially in challenging conditions like those in the West Indies. Kohli's return strengthens our lineup," Srikkanth emphasized.
In a passionate appeal, Srikkanth urged the Indian team to unite behind Kohli and strive for World Cup glory, likening the scenario to Sachin Tendulkar's iconic triumph in the 2011 World Cup.
"Virat Kohli deserves to be honored for his contributions to Indian cricket, and winning the World Cup would be a fitting tribute to his legacy," Srikkanth concluded.
Kohli is anticipated to rejoin the RCB team ahead of their season opener against Chennai Super Kings on March 22 in Chennai.
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