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Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Virat Kohli plays a shot during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, Monday, March 25, 2024. (PTI Photo)Virat Kohli on Monday took a dig at his former Indian coach Ravi Shastri and his recent comments on the ex-RCB captain’s inclusion in the upcoming T20 World Cup squad.
“I know my name is now attached to just promoting the game in different parts of the world when it comes to T20 cricket. I’ve still got it I guess,” Kohli said with a smile after being awarded the player of the match for his 77-run innings against Punjab Kings.
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During commentating in the Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians match on Sunday, Kevin Pietersen said that the T20 World Cup in USA needs someone like Kohli to help the game grow as a global sport.
“The World Cup is happening in the USA. India are playing Pakistan in New York. You’d want someone like a Virat Kohli to help the game grow,” Pietersen said.
Reacting to it, Shastri opined that it’s about winning the competition, not growth and India should go into the World Cup with a young side, 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 wherever it needs to grow. What I’m trying to say is no baggage. And India won in 2007 T20 World Cup with a young side. You want youth. You want flamboyance. You want that dash,” the former India coach had said.
In the match, Kohli’s innings played a vital role in guiding RCB to a 4-wicket win over PBKS in front of a packed Chinnaswamy crowd.
Peppering his knock with 11 fours and two sixes, Kohli reached 77 in 49 balls and made a case for his inclusion in the Indian squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup in June. He was ultimately dismissed by Harshal Patel while trying to clear the ropes once again as Harpreet Brar took a diving catch.
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