Virat Kohli has been among the top run-scorers in IPL 2023, with 419 runs in 10 games, including six half-centuries. However, his approach to T20 innings still raises questions. Despite his recent fifty against the Delhi Capitals, many felt that his innings of 55 off 46 balls did not help his team, Royal Challengers Bangalore, as they went on to lose the game. Some have speculated whether the underperforming middle order of RCB is forcing Kohli to play deep.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri has advised Kohli not to drop his tempo after getting a start and to focus on his own batting instead of worrying about other batters. Shastri suggested that Kohli could take a leaf out of Phil Salt’s book, who played a match-winning innings of 87 off 45 balls for Delhi Capitals by not letting go once he got into the groove. This, in turn, took the pressure off the other batsmen.
Former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody, on the other hand, feels that batting deep is out of fashion now that the ‘impact player’ rule is in place. However, Kohli defended his approach, saying that playing the anchor role was important. He further suggested that some people who have not been in a similar situation themselves tend to look at the game differently.
Kohli’s strike rate in this IPL so far has been 135.16, while his opening partner, Faf du Plessis, scores at a higher strike rate of 157.71. It remains to be seen how Kohli will balance his role as an anchor with the need to score quickly in the remaining games of IPL 2023.
Overall, Kohli’s recent form has been decent, but he will need to step up his game if RCB is to make it to the playoffs. With the tournament reaching its business end, Kohli and his team will have to find the right balance between being cautious and playing aggressively to succeed in the competition.
