Stuart Broad reacts to reports on Kohli being omitted from the T20 World Cup squad

The whole cricketing world is surprised with speculations surrounding Virat Kohli's potential exclusion from India's squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Scheduled to take place in the Caribbean Islands and the USA, this marquee event has become the centre of a heated debate around the star Indian batter's T20I future.

The debate gained traction after reports surfaced suggesting that Kohli's selection for the T20 World Cup has been left to the discretion of the selection panel.

Also read: RCB celebrate Virat Kohli's 16-year-long loyalty with franchise

'This can’t be true' - Stuart Broad

This decision comes after Kohli's absence from the Indian T20I side since the semi-final defeat against England in the 2022 edition of the tournament. However, Kohli and Rohit Sharma were included in the squad for the recent three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in January 2024, with the former missing out on the first game of the series citing personal reasons and the latter playing the entirety of the series.

While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah, has confirmed Rohit Sharma's captaincy for the upcoming World Cup, he remained tight-lipped regarding Kohli's T20I future. 

Former English bowler Stuart Broad took to his social media platform 'X', "This can’t be true. Just from a fan's point of view of growing the game, the ICC putting games on in America, India Vs Pakistan in New York, Virat is the biggest draw of any player in the world, I’m sure he will be selected."

The former England bowler expressed his disbelief at the notion of Kohli's exclusion, while speaking from the perspective of cricket fans who are keen to watch the star Indian batter and especially the ones in the USA who have never experienced a high-voltage game like that between India and Pakistan.

Kohli's performance in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League will be very crucial moving ahead.  

India will kick off their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with a clash against Ireland on June 5 in New York. After this opening encounter, they will face arch-rivals Pakistan on June 9 in New York.

The Men in Blue's third match is slated for June 12 in New York, where they will lock horns with the co-hosts, the USA. India will end their group-stage journey on June 15, in Lauderhill, against the inexperienced Canadian side. The match against Canada will be played at a different venue as opposed to India's first three fixtures.