While star India batter Virat Kohli‘s place in the squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 looked like a certainty, former Australia opener Matthew Hayden had urged BCCI chief selector to make some tough calls ahead of the announcement. In the ongoing season of IPL, Kohli has been in fine form as he is currently the highest run-scorer. Despite being criticised for his slow strike-rate, the RCB star has amassed a total of 500 runs in just 10 matches. His tally includes four half-centuries and a ton. He played a crucial role in RCB’s memorable victory against Gujarat Titans on Sunday, where he scored 70 off 44 balls.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), though not directly responding to Hayden’s apprehensions, picked Virat in the 15-man squad, showing belief in him to win the T20 World Cup.
While comparing the cricket culture between India and Australia, Hayden, a two-time World Cup-winner, suggested that the selection Down Under is more based on performances, rather than reputations.
“From an Australian cricket point of view, our philosophy is pretty simple. We pick not the names or the icons but select those who are going to win you the World Cup. We’ve got our own debates on our front. David Warner… should he go? We’ve had our challenges and I think we have been very good over the last 20 or even 30 years to actually think what is the side that is going to win,” he said on the Star Sports Press Room Show.
Despite his riches in IPL 2024, Hayden had argued if Kohli is the direction Indian cricket wants to go in, despite plenty of youngsters entering the discussions.
“This Virat Kohli discussion is probably the primary discussion here. Is he the individual who is going to win you the World Cup? I mean, his last ODI World Cup was a fantastic campaign. He has got nothing wrong with his statistics, historically no matter what tournament he plays. So the challenge from mine is his experience vs the young impetus that is required to play great World Cup cricket.”
Despite much talk over Kohli’s batting intent in IPL 2024, his strike-rate is 147.49 while the average is 71.43.
Hayden had argued that if Kohli gets selected, he will have to play better in the middle-overs, especially against the spinners.
“More than anything, India are playing 4 games in the USA and they are unknown conditions, or at least less known than the Caribbean. And statistically, if you look at the way Caribbean cricket is played, you’re going to face a lot of spin through the middle order. So, outside the first six overs, that’s where the challenge for Virat Kohli lies, when the pace comes off the ball and you’re in a situation where guys like great stroke-players like [Shivam] Dube or Rinku are present to carry you forward,” Hayden pointed out.
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