Virat Kohli Defends Anchor Role Amid Strike-Rate Controversy in IPL 2023
Virat Kohli has been in fine form in IPL 2023
As the exhilarating Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season unfolds, one of the most fervently debated subjects revolves around the progression of a batter's strike rate over the course of a knock.
In the eye of the storm is former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli, who erstwhile New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull lambasted for seemingly valuing "personal milestones" over a consistently high strike rate.
In the match between RCB and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Kohli started strong, with 34 of his 42 runs coming in the powerplay from boundaries. However, he slowed down after the fielding restrictions were lifted, taking seven more deliveries to reach his half-century.
Doull criticized Kohli's slower strike rate post-powerplay during commentary, suggesting no room for focusing on personal milestones in modern cricket.
Responding to the criticism, Kohli, in an interview with Robin Uthappa, emphasised the importance of an anchor role in T20 cricket. He pointed out that people who have not been in such situations themselves might look at the game differently.
"Yeah for sure (important anchor role). I completely agree with that, There are many people who because they have not been in that situation themselves, they look at the game differently," said Kohli.
The former Indian captain explained that when a team hasn't lost a wicket in the powerplay, the best bowler usually comes on to bowl, so batters must strategise how to score against them while maintaining wickets. According to him, this approach allows the team to capitalize on the innings later on.
"Suddenly when the powerplay is done, they will be like 'oh, they have started rotating the strike'. When you haven't lost a wicket in the powerplay, usually the best player comes on to bowl, you are trying to figure out what to do against him in the first two overs, so that you can get big ones in the last two overs of that guy and then rest of the innings becomes much easier," the RCB star added.
Kohli, who has been in good form in IPL 2023 with two half-centuries in three matches, will be back in action against the Delhi Capitals on Saturday at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The dynamic batter will look to continue his good performance against a winless Delhi side and help his side get back to winning ways after two successive defeats.
 "Jatin")
