The 32-year-old Kohli will step down as T20 captain after the 16-nation tournament starting on Sunday in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
The prolific run-scorer has also stepped down as captain of Indian Premier League side Royal Challengers Bangalore and his decision to focus more on his batting has been welcomed by many.
Kohli was at the center of growing speculation in recent months as the wait for success grew.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan said that Kohli can go into the World Cup, which starts without any pressure for him against Pakistan on October 24 and it will be good for the team.
Pathan, who played a key role in India’s opening ceremony, said, ‘I think after taking this decision, now he will enjoy his cricket more. t20 world cup Vijay in 2007, told AFP.
“India side will do well with confidence and experience.”
Kohli became the captain in all formats in 2017 after MS Dhoni relinquished his limited-overs leadership. But India has not won the World Cup or the Champions Trophy.
Kohli will still have Dhoni as the former captain, who led India to the T20 title in 2007 and the 50-over crown in 2011, to mentor the team for the tournament.
Kohli was getting closer to his India debut when Dhoni’s team created history by winning the maiden World T20 title in Johannesburg.
This victory sparked a boom in T20s across South Asia and the birth of the IPL in 2008.
After making his ODI debut in 2008, Kohli soon built his own brand of cricket but faced the pressure of his failure to win a global title.
India, the hosts and led by Dhoni, lost to eventual winners West Indies in the semi-finals in 2016 despite an unbeaten 89 by Kohli.
India also lost in the final of the ODI World Cup after four to three years under Kohli’s leadership.
India remain one of the strong contenders to win the T20 trophy with West Indies and Eoin Morgan taking on England in Dubai on November 14.
India are looking to advance to the semi-finals against old rivals Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan and two other qualifying teams in Group B.
“I always want India to win, but West Indies will be one of the favourites,” Pathan said.
“England and Australia all have good attacks and you can never count Pakistan. It will be a very competitive World Cup.”
All the 15 members of the Indian team and three standby players have been in UAE for over a month and their IPL teams have got used to the pitches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Flamboyant opener Rohit Sharma is believed to be Kohli’s successor T20 captain And the team’s chances will be the key as well.
In-form KL Rahul and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant complete the top-order batting while Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack.
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