Virat Kohli backs Ashwin's inclusion in India's T20 WC squad, 'Bowling with courage'

After completion of IPL 2021, fans are erly waiting for blockbuster encounters in upcoming T20 World Cup. Team India's skipper Virat Kohli on Saturday interacted with media in a pre-tournament press conference and expressed idea behind inclusion of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in T20 World Cup squ. Ravichandran Ashwin's inclusion in T20 World Cup squ surprised everyone as off-spinner was out of India's limited-overs squ for quite a while. 

On being asked about Ashwin's inclusion, Virat Kohli said,

"Yes, definitely. one thing Ashwin has improved on is his bowling with cour. You have seen in IPL over last two years that he has bowled difficult overs against biggest hitters. He has t been shy to put ball in right areas, Ashwin has believed in his skillset. And we felt way he was bowling with variations, he is a guy who has played a lot of international cricket."

"So, hence Ashwin has been rewarded for reviving his white-ball skills altoger. He was a regular feature for us back in day but he fell off, finger spinners with accuracy have come back into game. So we also need to evolve as a team," Kohli ded.

Virat Kohli opens up on Yuzvendra Chahal's exclusion from T20 World Cup squ

One of most surprising decisions by BCCI was to leave out leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal from Team India's T20 World Cup squ. Rahul Chahar was preferred by selectors insted of Yuzvendra Chahal. However, Chahal showcased some brilliant bowling performance in UAE leg of IPL, fuelling debate on his exclusion. 

Talking about exclusion of Yuzvendra Chahal from squ, Kohli said,

"It was a challenging call but we decided to back Rahul Chahar for a reason. He has bowled amazingly well over last couple of years in IPL. A guy who bowls with pace, he did really well in Sri Lanka and against England at home as well, he was someone who bowled those difficult overs."

"We believe going on in this tournament, wickets are going to get slower and slower, so guys who bowl with pace will be able to trouble batters as compared to those who give it air. Rahul definitely has those strengths naturally as a leg-spinner.

He is someone who always attacks wickets, that is factor that tilted thing in favour of him. Picking a World Cup team is always tricky and you cant always have everyone in that squ," he ded.

It is pertinent to mention here that Virat Kohli h anunced that he will step down as Team India's T20 captain after World Cup in UAE. 

(Im: PTI)