(Source Crictoday)
India’s star batter Virat Kohli has yet to join the national squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. While the rest of the team has begun training, Kohli remains in India with his family, marking a significant absence.
According to ESPNCricinfo, Kohli might be racing against time to participate in India’s warmup game against Bangladesh, scheduled for June 1st at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York.
Recent media reports indicated that Kohli requested a short break following IPL 2024, which delayed the processing of his paperwork by the BCCI. Reports suggest he plans to travel to New York on the 30th. In a conversation with the Indian Express, the BCCI commented:
“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.”
With Virat Kohli scheduled to travel to New York on May 30th, it is unlikely he will be match-fit in time for the warm-up game. As a result, India will probably face Bangladesh in the practice match at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium without him.
The Indian team has begun their preparations for the T20 World Cup 2024 with rigorous training sessions. Following strong performances in IPL 2024, the players are eager to maintain their form and strive for the tournament title.
“Settling into our routines here, our main goal was to acclimate to the time zone,” stated Soham Desai, the team’s strength and conditioning coach.
India’s strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai talked about the drills that he made the players go through. He stated that their first goal is to get used to the time zone. He said that he wants players to ease into the practice so that they can be ready for the first games. Speaking in a video posted by BCCI, he stated:
“Eased into our routines here, the idea was to just get used to the time zone. They have been away for two-and-a-half months from us [the national team setup]. Just getting them together to know where they stand, and what needs to be done before the World Cup was the goal.
“[The] goal is to spend 45 minutes to an hour there on the park to again get going. We want to see them move. We want to see them run so that we can put enough plans in place for each guy to be ready for the first game.”
India will face Ireland in their opening World Cup match on June 5th. Following that, they will play against Pakistan on June 9th, the USA on June 12th, and Canada on June 15th. The initial three matches will be held in New York, while the final game will take place in Lauderhill, Florida.
