Out-of-form Virat Kohli is likely to skip the upcoming five-match T20I series against West Indies as he looks to regain his form as quickly as possible.
With an eye on this year’s T20 World Cup, Team India are likely to name a full-strength side for the upcoming five-match T20I series against West Indies. With the World Cup not very far away, the team-management will be keen to zero in on the strongest possible team.
Several big names have been rested for the upcoming ODI series against the same opposition but they are set to return for the subsequent T20Is. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested for the ODIs.
Kohli, however, is unlikely to play the T20Is in the Caribbean. The T20I squad is expected to be announced after the third and final T20I against England on July 10.
No Virat Kohli for West Indies tour:
The Indian team-management wants to try out all possible combinations before finalising the line-up for the World Cup in October-November in Australia. The selection committee is also on the same page in this matter.
According to Cricbuzz, the team-management and the selectors are keen to identify the players for the World Cup only after giving them sufficient opportunities. The five T20Is against West Indies could very well decide most of the players for the tournament.
And while all the players will be keen to perform in the coming days, Kohli has reportedly decided to skip the series. According to the news outlet, Kohli has requested the selectors, team management and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to not consider him for the West Indies series.
This comes after a recent report suggested that the former India skipper might be axed from the T20I team if he fails to deliver in the ongoing tour of England. Kohli has been struggling with his form in recent months and there have been calls from several quarters to drop him at least from the T20Is.
Last month too, Kohli was rested for the T20I series against South Africa. He would be hoping that his next break helps him regain his form. Any further slipup is likely to jeopardise his place in the T20 team ahead of the World Cup.