According to former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn, it is crucial for Virat Kohli to perform well in the upcoming IPL if he wants to secure a spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad. Steyn noted that Kohli has been overshadowed by several other players in recent months. Kohli has been absent from the Indian team since the T20I series against Afghanistan in January, opting out of the subsequent Test series against England due to personal reasons.
Finally “King Kohli” Is In India Now 😭❤#ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/okPBsBkXVV
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Dale Steyn On Virat Kohli
“I think, look, it’s very important that he scores runs because it will put him in a good frame going to the World Cup. There’re many guys who have leapfrogged him recently because he’s taken a bit of a break and there’re many contenders that are possible to take to that World Cup (squad).” Steyn Said.
Despite not coaching in the IPL this year due to family commitments, Steyn believes that Kohli’s experience could be beneficial when the selectors finalize the Indian squad. He emphasized that Kohli’s track record and leadership skills could work in his favor.
“I look at runs the same way that you look at someone’s bank balance, so to speak. Virat has got stacks and stacks of runs that he stored up over many years. It is going to work when India is looking to pick a team that goes to the World Cup. They’re going to look for guys who have been there and done that and that’s something Virat has done,” Steyn added.
Steyn also commented on the challenging task ahead for Hardik Pandya, who is set to replace Rohit Sharma as captain of the Mumbai Indians. Sharma led the team to five IPL titles, making his shoes hard to fill. Steyn’s observations highlight the competitive landscape of Indian cricket and the significant roles Kohli and Pandya play in their respective teams’ fortunes.
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma’s No Nonsense Statement About Virat Kohli
