Harbhajan Singh speaks out on potential exclusion of Virat Kohli from T20I squad

Should India’s T20I squad omit Virat Kohli? As India prepares a team for the 2024 T20 World Cup, which will be held in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA), this is a question that is likely to dominate conversation. Hardik Pandya is the team’s captain, and Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul have not appeared for India in a single T20 International since the 2022 T20 World Cup.

It is expected that selectors will look to a younger group of players in the shortest format, which could result in Kohli losing his spot as India looks to change the way they play in the shortest format after not winning the T20 World Cup since the first edition in 2007. Although Hardik has not officially been named full-time captain in the shortest format, there is expectation that he will.

Harbhajan argued that Kohli’s potential exclusion from the team cannot be justified by his recent play. Harbhajan also urged the selectors to speak with Kohli if they are fielding a young team and recalled his own experience of being cut from the team and learning about it only through the media.

“See, there is always pressure, and the senior players take the brunt of it if we don’t win major competitions like the World Cup. I don’t know what selectors have in their minds and what they want to do. According to Harbhajan, “We often say, ‘If the established stars aren’t able to win, we might as well pick youngsters – we should invest in them.

“However, in terms of Virat, I don’t believe he can be benched due to performance. Yes, you can speak to him and explain that we are building a young team, but whatever they decide to do, it should be explained to seniors. They shouldn’t be told after a choice has been made.

Virat, on the other hand, I don’t think can be benched because of performance. Yes, you can talk to him and let him know that even though we are assembling a young team, whatever they decide to do needs to be communicated to seniors. After a decision has been made, they shouldn’t be informed.

On the other hand, I don’t believe Virat should be benched due to performance. Yes, you can speak with him and inform him that even though we are putting together a young team, whatever they decide must be shared with seniors. They shouldn’t be informed of a decision’s outcome.

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