FACT CHECK: Virat Kohli’s Travel to US For T20 World Cup 2024 Delayed Due to Paperwork?
Mumbai: The Rohit Sharma-led Team India-bound for the T20 World Cup 2024 left Mumbai on Sunday night. It was the first batch of players that left, Virat Kohli was not part of it and reports claimed that the latter has not completed his paperwork and hence his arrival has been delayed. Now, a report in CricketnMore claims that Kohli has got a short break. The report claims Kohli has got the requisite clearance for the break from the Indian board. Kohli is set to miss India’s first warm-up game against Bangladesh on June 1.
In a video shared by news agency PTI, Rohit, Ravindra Jadeja, head coach Rahul Dravid, batting coach Vikram Rathour, and fielding coach T Dilip were seen entering the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai amid huge fanfare.
Behind Rohit and Jadeja were the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Shivam Dube, Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant and Khaleel Ahmed. However, there were no signs of Virat Kohli. The former India captain might travel in the second batch of players.
For the unknown, all-rounder Hardik Pandya is expected to travel to the United States from England as the Mumbai Indians captain was spotted practicing in the United Kingdom. Pant, Rohit, Suryakumar and Kuldeep were also caught giving autographs to a fan who was present at the airport.
Kohli, given his ominous form in the IPL, would be key to India’s fortunes at the mega event. Also, he brings to the table immense experience which is invaluable.