Kohli has largely been absent from India\u2019s T20I squad since India\u2019s defeat to England in the semifinals of the previous edition of the T20 World Cup in 2022. He has only played two T20Is since then, during Afghanistan\u2019s tour of India for a three-match series in January earlier this year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
There was similar talk about his form ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup but Kohli had a sensational tournament, emerging as the top scorer in the event held in India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With the talk going around about excluding Kohli, Smith voiced his backing for Kohli when he highlighted the importance of Kohli in big tournaments like the T20 World Cup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe [Kohli] plays the situation,\u201d Steve Smith told Star Sports. \u201cSome wickets you play on, your strike rate doesn't need to be high. You play according to what's in front of you. We have seen Virat play some masterclass innings and get his team over the line, whether it has been RCB or India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI've been on the opposition in the Australian team when he has done this against us on numerous occasions.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Over the years, Kohli has consistently risen to the occasion for India in high-pressure situations during the T20 World Cup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
One of his most celebrated heroics came in a tense encounter against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he orchestrated a remarkable victory for India with an unbeaten 82 off just 53 deliveries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Before that memorable performance, Kohli had delivered crucial innings against Australia (scoring 82* off 51 balls) in the 2016 edition and South Africa (registering 74* off 42 balls) in 2014, demonstrating his ability to thrive in crunch situations on the T20 World Cup stage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Smith emphasised the invaluable presence of seasoned players like Kohli, who possess the experience of performing under immense pressure on the grandest stages.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhat we know is that he plays extremely well under pressure,\u201d Smith added. \u201cHe loves that. It's those players who you want in your team when you go into the World Cup and face pressure situations. You want the experienced players who stand up in those situations, and Virat is certainly one of those.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The ICC Men\u2019s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies begins on 1 June. India will be in action on 5 June when they take on Ireland before attention shifts to the high-octane clash against Pakistan on 9 June, both of which will be played at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ipl-2024-steve-smith-supports-virat-kohlis-inclusion-in-t20-world-cup-team.JPG", "alt_img": "IPL 2024: Steve Smith supports Virat Kohli's inclusion in T20 World Cup team", "alt_title": "Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bangalore players during a practice session ahead of the Indian Premier", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "IPL 2024: Steve Smith Supports Virat Kohli's Inclusion In T20 World Cup Team On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "IPL 2024: Steve Smith Supports Virat Kohli's Inclusion In T20 World Cup Team, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium: Australia\u2019s star batter Steve Smith has thrown his weight behind Virat Kohli and said the.", "seo_keywords": "Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Indian T20 World Cup, T20 World Cup, United States, ICC Men, ODI World Cup, Star Sports, Melbourne Cricket Ground, South Africa, World Cup, The ICC Men, West Indies, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York", "tag": "", "tagging": "Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Indian T20 World Cup, T20 World Cup, United States, ICC Men, ODI World Cup, Star Sports, Melbourne Cricket Ground, South Africa, World Cup, The ICC Men, West Indies, New York", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "ipl-2024-steve-smith-supports-virat-kohlis-inclusion-in-t20-world-cup-team", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "1046", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2024-03-22 20:14:04", "updated": "2024-03-22 20:14:04", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Indian T20 World Cup, T20 World Cup, United States, ICC Men, ODI World Cup, Star Sports, Melbourne Cricket Ground, South Africa, World Cup, The ICC Men, West Indies, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-03-22 20:14:04", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/ipl-2024-steve-smith-supports-virat-kohlis-inclusion-in-t20-world-cup-team-140919" }