With just weeks to go before the T20 World Cup 2024 squad is finalized, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly had a chat with skipper Rohit Sharma, head coach Dravid and selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar in Mumbai. 

A number of places are up for discussion, including the talismanic Virat Kohli and all-rounder Hardik Pandya. The debate over Kohli's strike-rate has only enraged as the ongoing IPL has progressed while Hardik's below-par batting performance and sporadic bowling spells have left much to be desired.

As the BCCI meeting took place in Mumbai, it has been reported that Virat wanted clarity over his role in the forthcoming T-20 World Cup. With Yashasvi Jaiswal going through a rough patch in the IPL, Kohli has been asked to open alongside skipper Rohit in the showpiece event which starts in June, revealed in a report published by Dainik Jagaran. 

Virat opens regularly for his IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru and is the top-scoring batter at present. The selection committee, hence, sees the opening as the perfect role for the veteran batter. Shubman Gill, who has also looked in fine form this season, is reportedly being seen as the back-up opening option for the T20 World Cup.

When it comes to T20I cricket, Virat Kohli has a strike-rate of 161 as an opening batter. Overall, his strike-rate sits at 138. In fact, Kohli's only T-20I hundred has also come as an opener.