(Source NDTV)
The initial group of Indian players embarked on their journey to the USA on Saturday, with a subsequent contingent set to depart on Monday.
Virat Kohli is poised to skip India’s solitary warm-up game before the T20 World Cup 2024, taking a brief respite following Royal Challengers Bangalore’s exit from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The Indian team is slated to face Bangladesh in the warm-up fixture in New York on June 1.
The influential batsman communicated to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) his intention to join the squad later. Kohli had a remarkable IPL 2024 campaign, amassing 741 runs from 15 matches with an impressive average of 61.75. Despite his efforts, Royal Challengers Bangalore bowed out in the playoffs, losing to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator. As per a BCCI official, the Delhi-based cricketer is set to depart for New York in the early hours of May 30.
“Kohli had informed us way beforehand that he will be joining the team late and that is why the BCCI has kept his visa appointment for a later date. He is expected to fly out to New York in the early morning of May 30th. The BCCI has agreed to his request,” a BCCI official told The Indian Express.
In addition to Kohli, wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson and all-rounder Hardik Pandya will also be joining the team at a later stage. Samson, who guided Rajasthan Royals to Qualifier 2, has cited ‘personal commitments in Dubai’ as the reason for his delayed departure, which he communicated to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The BCCI has granted permission for both Samson and Pandya to join the squad later.
The initial group of Indian players embarked on their journey to the USA on Saturday. Simultaneously, a second contingent is scheduled to depart on Monday. Among those who left Mumbai on Saturday night were India captain Rohit Sharma, along with Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, and the accompanying support staff.
India will kick off their T20 World Cup 2024 journey on June 5, facing Ireland in New York. The much-awaited showdown between India and Pakistan is slated for June 9 at the same venue.
