“Shouldn’t happen to Kohli,” Harbhajan Singh urges BCCI to treat Virat Kohli properly before dropping him for T20 WC

Harbhajan first pointed out that the senior players have to bear the brunt of losing big tournaments, adding that if the BCCI wants to invest in youngsters, Kohli shouldn't be sidelined on the basis of form.

“Shouldn’t happen to Kohli,” Harbhajan Singh urges BCCI to treat Virat Kohli properly before dropping him for T20 WC

Harbhajan Singh, Virat Kohli

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to inform Virat Kohli beforehand if it wants to sideline him for the 2024 T20 World Cup to avoid a sour relationship between the board and the player. Harbhajan’s comment came after rumors claiming BCCI has planned to drop Kohli and India skipper Rohit Sharma for the all-important clash next year.

Harbhajan first pointed out that the senior players have to bear the brunt of losing big tournaments, adding that if the BCCI wants to invest in youngsters, Kohli shouldn’t be sidelined on the basis of form. Recalling his playing days when seniors got to know they were dropped from the newspapers, Harbhajan asserted that miscommunication shouldn’t happen and players like Rohit and Kohli should be given respect to maintain a healthy relationship.

“We were sidelined first then got to know through newspapers,” Harbhajan told Hindustan Times. “It shouldn’t happen to Kohli. A player should be given respect- be it Rohit, Virat, or whoever else.

“Communication is the key. If conducted properly, it will create a healthy relationship between players and selectors because if someone is sidelined and not informed about it, that leaves a sour taste in every player’s mouth,” Harbhajan added.

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Virat Kohli hasn’t played T20Is after the 2022 T20 World Cup exit

"Shouldn't happen to Kohli," Harbhajan Singh urges BCCI to treat Virat Kohli properly before dropping him for T20 WC
Virat Kohli

The former India captain hasn’t played a single T20 game after India’s semi-final exit in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. India were outclassed by England by 10 wickets where Kohli played a 40-ball 50-run knock.

After his one-month break during which he was dealing with a lean patch, Kohli played 12 matches, scoring 700 runs at an average of 70, including seven fifties and one century. He was also the second-highest run-scorer in the 2022 Asia Cup with 276 runs, while in the T20 World Cup, he racked up 296 runs, the most by a player, at an average of 98.66, with four half-centuries.

The 34-year-old is currently playing in the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He stands fourth on the list of highest run-getters with 364 runs from nine matches at an average of 45.50.

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