Virat Kohli picks favourites for T20 World Cup 2021

India skipper Virat Kohli has downplayed the ‘favourites’ tag for his team for this year’s T20 World Cup at home. Kohli’s comments have come just a couple of days after England star gave India the favourites tag for the tournament. India will host the marquee event in October and November and will be looking to end their long wait for an ICC trophy.

India have not won an ICC trophy since their triumph in the Champions Trophy in 2013. They have done consistently well in the competition but have failed to win the knockout games in the last few years. India are also waiting for a T20 World Cup title for more than a decade. Their first and last triumph in the competition till date came in the inaugural edition in 2007.

In the last two editions of the competition, India bowed out at the final and semifinal stage. In the 2014 T20 World Cup, India lost to Sri Lanka in the final. Two years later, West Indies crushed their dreams at the semifinal stage when the tournament was hosted in India. Virat Kohli will be leading the team in the T20 World Cup for the first time and will be eyeing a historic triumph.

Virat Kohli picks favourites

No team has managed to win the T20 World Cup at home so far and India will have the opportunity to break that duck this year. But while only time will tell whether the hosts manage to win the title or not, Virat Kohli believes they are not the favourites for the same. Speaking on the eve of the first T20I against England, the 32-year old has said the Eoin Morgan-led side will be the favourites.

Highlighting England’s number one rank in T20Is, Kohli said they will be the team to beat in the tournament. He also stated that all the other teams will be wary of England’s strength in the tournament.

“No, England will be the team to beat. They’re the number 1 side in the world. Prime focus will be on them. All other teams will be wary of the strengths they bring to the park. Every other team will agree with me,” said Virat Kohli when asked whether the Men in Blue would be the favourites for this year’s competition.