Selectors Send A Serious Warning To Virat Kohli After His West Indies Tour Snub

Virat Kohli is currently playing in the ongoing three-match ODI series against England. After missing the series opener due to his groin injury, he made a comeback in the playing XI in the second match. He managed only 16 runs off 25 balls while chasing a tricky target of 247 runs and India lost the match by 100 runs.

After another failure in that match, 77 innings are gone for Kohli where he managed to score a ton for India across all the formats. However, after this series, India is scheduled to visit West Indies to play three ODIs and five T20Is, later this month. But, Virat Kohli requested the Board for some rest and thus, he got dropped from both squads.

“If Virat doesn’t get his form back, he will be asked to go back to domestic and get his form back,” – Selection Committee member

As per reports, the Indian Board wanted Kohli to play the T20I series as the World Cup is approaching. But, as he requested for the rest earlier, hence it was got accepted by them. Speaking to InsideSport, a Selection Committee member said that Virat will be in the T20 World Cup if he is fit. But after that without any performance, his place will not be secure as before.

He said: “There will always be a low after a high and that is exactly what Virat is going through. But considering the team, nobody is immune. Ajinkya and Pujara have been dropped and so did so many other cricketers. He will certainly feature in the T20 World Cup if he is fit. But that will be his last chance as we have to look at the team as well. If he doesn’t get his form back, he will be asked to go back to domestic and get his form back,” 

He also added that the Board wants to make him feel secure and concentrate on his batting instead. The member also said that he was not dropped as it was his request only to not pick him up for this upcoming Tour. “Every player needs assurance and if one doesn’t get that and gets dropped, they will be in constant fear. After scoring over 30,000 runs in international cricket, one doesn’t need that. Virat is precious to Indian and world cricket and we have to make him feel secure. In saying that, I want to emphasize, that in no way, he was dropped from the West Indies tour. It was his request that we along with BCCI accepted,” he concluded.