Amid Strike-Rate Talk, Report Makes Stunning Kohli, Pant T20 WC Claim

The Indian cricket team selectors are expected to pick the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 and question marks still remain over the wicket-keeper's position. While KL Rahul seems to be a natural option, both experts and fans are split over the inclusion of Rishabh Pant. Pant, who returned to cricket in IPL 2024 after his near-fatal car accident in 2022, has scored 153 runs in 5 matches till now. However, he faces tough competition from Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and Jitesh Sharma. A report on Cricbuzz claims that Pant is in line for a recall to the national side and considering his reputation as a bonafide match-winner, the selectors may end up going for him as a solid option along with Rahul.

There has also been some speculation over Virat Kohli's inclusion in the side for the T20 World Cup 2024 with some experts and fans questioning his strike rate despite Kohli scoring a lot of runs in IPL 2024.

However, the report claims that there are no question marks over Kohli's place in the side and with more than 300 runs in the IPL 2024 already, he has already made a strong case for himself.

Meanwhile, Brian Lara asserted that Virat Kohli's value transcends cold numbers, and the West Indian virtuoso has little doubt that the star batter should be a part of India's T20 World Cup squad.

Kohli stood in the eye of a social media storm after making a 67-ball hundred for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Rajasthan Royals in their IPL 2024 match at Jaipur, which was the joint slowest hundred in the competition alongside Manish Pandey's century in 2009.

"The strike-rate depends on position, and for an opener strike-rate of 130-140 is pretty alright. But if you are coming in the middle-order then you may be required to hit at 150 or 160. As you have seen in this IPL, batsmen are hitting at 200 in the latter part of an innings," Lara said during the Star Sports Press Room which was also attended by former India batter Ambati Rayudu.

"But an opener like Kohli always has the chance of starting at 130, bat through the overs and finish at 160 or even higher, which is alright "But if you ask me, India's top three in the World Cup should be Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill irrespective of all these. And for RCB, it should not be about one person, as it has to be a team effort," said Lara.

The Trinidadian said opening the innings with Kohli and Rohit in the T20 World Cup could be a tempting option, but strongly advocated India pairing a younger name with the experienced player at the pole position.

"I think Rohit and Virat going as openers to the West Indies (for WC) will serve India very well. Though, I think that you should have some youthful punch in the opening. One of the younger players, showing their mettle, and having one of those experienced players shepherd the innings in the middle-order.

"Having that whole experience up front, it could have a negative effect if they get dismissed early, so I will use one at top, but use the other at No. 3," said the left-hander.

(With PTI inputs)