No clarity on Virat arrival for T20 World Cup
As the cricket world eagerly awaits the start of the T20 World Cup, one question remains on the minds of Indian fans: when will Virat Kohli, the former Indian captain, join his teammates in the USA? Kohli, a crucial member of India’s World Cup squad, has yet to travel to the host nation, raising concerns about his availability for the team’s warm-up match against Bangladesh.
Kohli’s Absence from the Squad’s Initial Arrival
According to reports, Kohli is the only cricketer from India’s T20 World Cup squad who has not yet reached the United States. While the rest of the 18-member squad, including the four reserves, began their training session in New York on Wednesday, Kohli’s whereabouts have remained a mystery.
Reasons Behind Kohli’s Delayed Arrival
Kohli, who was recently spotted in Mumbai with his wife Anushka Sharma and former India cricketer Zaheer Khan, has requested a slightly longer break after the two-month-long Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The former India captain last played on May 22 in the IPL Eliminator, where his team, Royal Challengers Bangalore, was knocked out of the tournament.
Uncertainty Surrounding Kohli’s Participation in Warm-up Match
Given Kohli’s delayed arrival, it seems highly unlikely that he will be available for India’s only warm-up match against Bangladesh on Sunday, June 1. According to reports, the BCCI has not provided any update on Kohli’s travel status, and it is not clear if he will be able to take part in the warm-up game after a long flight.
Kohli’s Impressive IPL Performance
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his World Cup preparations, Kohli’s performance in the recently concluded IPL was nothing short of impressive. The right-handed batter ended up as the Orange Cap winner for the second time in his career, amassing 741 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 154.70 – his best-ever in the IPL.
India’s Arrival and Acclimatization in the USA
While Kohli’s status remains uncertain, the rest of the Indian squad has already arrived in the USA and has begun the process of acclimatizing to the conditions. The players, who spent two months playing in the IPL under lights, are finding it challenging to adjust to the bright sunshine in New York.
Importance of Acclimatization for the Indian Squad
To help the players adapt to the new environment, the support staff has decided to focus on acclimatization before initiating the skills training sessions on the practice pitches. The first training session saw the players engaging in routine shuttle runs and a bit of foot volley to get into the groove.
Excitement Among the Indian Players
Despite the challenges of adjusting to the new conditions, the Indian players seem excited about the prospect of playing cricket in New York. Ravindra Jadeja, the all-rounder, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “First time we are going to play cricket in New York, it’s going be fun.”
Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav’s Positive Outlook
Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma’s deputy, also seemed excited about the “bright sunshine” and “good vibes” in the USA, while Suryakumar Yadav expressed his interest in learning more about the cricket diaspora’s interests in the host nation.
India’s T20 World Cup Schedule
India, the 2007 T20 World Cup champions, will start their campaign in the USA on June 5 against Ireland, followed by the highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 9. They will then take on the hosts, the USA, on June 12 before the cricket caravan moves to the familiar Lauderhill in Florida for the game against Canada on June 15.
India’s Path to the Super 8 Phase
Irrespective of their group stage performance, India are supposed to be clubbed A1 and will then proceed to the Caribbean islands for the Super 8 phase of the tournament, where they will face formidable opponents like Australia, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.
Absence of IPL Finalists in the Indian Squad
It is worth noting that none of the Indian main squad players featured in the IPL finals held on May 26 in Chennai, as they had already departed for the USA to begin their World Cup preparations.
Conclusion
As the T20 World Cup approaches, the uncertainty surrounding Virat Kohli’s arrival in the USA has become a topic of intense discussion among Indian cricket fans. While the rest of the squad has already begun their acclimatization process, the BCCI’s silence on Kohli’s travel status has only added to the suspense. However, the team’s overall positive outlook and the excitement surrounding their participation in the tournament suggest that they are ready to give their best, with or without their talismanic former captain.
