Power-hitting is no more associated with mere slogging in T20 cricket. It's a specialised technique in the franchise leagues which may not quite be in sync with the purists' methods in the shortest format.
Specialist power-hitting coaches are being hired by the franchises as part of the support staff. Julian Wood is one such expert who has recently worked with Punjab Kings, besides several other franchises and Counties.
Having spent time in the US observing the training methods and biomechanics associated with baseball, Wood has devised his own patented, cricket-specific training programme, specifically aimed at hitting sixes.
Strike-rate has been an integral part of batting in this format putting the more conventional methods under threat.
With only a few days left before the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee meets to pick the squad for the T20 World Cup, there is much debate about Virat Kohli's place in the squad. Make no mistake, none is doubting his technique or his place as one of the legends of modern cricket. It's simply that his conventional methods are being put to the test more by the increasing demands of the batting evolution which is engulfing the format.
Only last year Rohit Sharma had said that he wants to do things "differently" now without worrying too much about the outcomes and that there's "no role for an anchor" in T20 cricket.
Compare Kohli's 67-ball century against Rajasthan Royals in this edition, the slowest of the tournament, with Travis Head's 39-ball hundred versus RCB. Kohli's unbeaten 113 off 72 balls on that day wasn't the ideal T20 innings but more in the classical ODI mode which defied the changing dynamics of T20 batting.
The only time Kohli adopted the perfect approach was during his 42 off 20 balls against Sunrisers in Bengaluru when the visitors blasted their way to a record 287 and RCB ended 25 short.
There are 15 players in the list of batters with a strike-rate of 200 and above in IPL 2024 after Thursday's match with Henrich Klaasen missing it by a whisker at 199.27. None of the probable India players for the T20 World Cup find a place in the elite group. It is unlikely that anyone among the likes of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Abhishek Sharma, R Sai Kishore, Abdul Samad or Naman Dhir will be in the reckoning for the tournament.
Kohli's strike-rate shrouded RCB's first away victory on Thursday in Hyderabad. The opener raced to 32 off 18 balls before slowing down dramatically to get 19 off the next 25 balls. It left even Sunil Gavaskar fuming.
"It’s just been singles, singles and singles from Kohli... You’ve got to try and take a few risks now... Yes, Kohli has played and missed; it’s not easy, because when you’ve been in your shell... and suddenly connecting is not going to be easy. But that is what Kohli needs to do... He has got to attempt the big shots,” Gavaskar said during commentary.
There was no threat of a slow pitch or the pressure of wickets tumbling at the other end. Yet Kohli clung on to his old methods of not daring to go over the top or attempt more shots in the gap.
While the Orange Cap holder has a strike-rate of 145.76, Rohit Sharma's stands at 162.90. It is in the middle overs that Kohli's strike-rate dips affecting the team's momentum.
If Kohli is to open with Rohit in the showpiece event, it would mean Yashasvi Jaiswal has to drop to No.3 thus depriving Suryakumar Yadav of his specialist position. It could also affect the chances of slotting a Rinku Singh in the playing XI as a finisher.
Young Jaiswal offers a left-right opening combination besides an improved strike-rate in the middle overs. Keeping Kohli in the XV and not including him in the team to ensure the balance factor could lead to more complications and a tirade.
The selectors face a helluva task; to include or not to include Kohli is the main issue. They have to tread the path cautiously.
India must modify their tactics if they are to match the fearless approach of a Head or a Klaasen. The old school thinking needs to be shed.
