[ad_1]
Virat Kohli on Monday criticized his former Indian coach Ravi Shastri and his recent comments regarding the former’s inclusion in the upcoming T20 World Cup squad.
“I know that my name is now linked to promoting the game in different parts of the world when it comes to T20 cricket. I guess I still have it,” Kohli said with a smile after being awarded the player of the match award for his innings of 77 runs against Punjab Kings.
During his commentary at the Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians match on Sunday, Kevin Pietersen said that the T20 World Cup in the US needs someone like Kohli to help the game grow as a global sport.
“The World Cup will be held in the United States. India plays Pakistan in New York. You would want someone like Virat Kohli to help the game grow,” Pietersen said.
Reacting to this, Shastri opined that it is about winning the competition, not growing, and that India should go to the World Cup with a young team, citing the example of the 2007 edition of the competition.
“It’s not about growing the game, it’s about winning the competition. The game will grow where it needs to. What I’m trying to say is not baggage. And India won the 2007 T20 World Cup with a young team. You want youth. You want extravagance. You want that career,” the former India coach had said.
In the match, Kohli’s innings played a vital role in leading RCB to a 4-wicket win over PBKS in front of a packed Chinnaswamy crowd.
Studded with 11 fours and 2 sixes, Kohli hit 77 off 49 balls and made a case for his inclusion in the Indian squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup in June. Finally, Harshal Patel dismissed him as he tried to clear the ropes once again when he was caught diving by Harpreet Brar.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
First uploaded on: 03-26-2024 at 00:04 IST
