IPL 2023: Virat Kohli’s Knock Fuels Debate On ‘Dying’ Anchors In T20 Cricket. The T20 cricket community is discussing the decreasing role of anchors. This was sparked by Virat Kohli’s performance in a losing effort against Delhi Capitals where he scored 55 runs off 46 balls. RCB had difficulty chasing Delhi’s score of 182, with Phil Salt’s T20 masterclass leading them to victory with 20 balls left. While understandable given the middle-order’s poor performance, Kohli’s strategy of taking the game deep may have cost RCB an additional 20 runs that could have led to a win. It is worth noting that Kohli only scored his first 19 runs off 18 balls.
Batsman is quickly adjusting to the evolving game in this IPL season, with the highest number of 200+ totals. They’re increasing their power to stay relevant in T20 cricket. Phil Salt’s aggressive innings on Saturday (April 6th) highlighted the importance of a boom-or-bust approach. Earlier, Delhi head coach Ricky Ponting expressed concerns about anchors’ future in T20 cricket.
Comments Of Renowned Cricketers On Kohli’s Knock
Ricky Pointing, the Australian legend, stated before the Sunrisers game that he believed aggressive and powerful batsmen could adjust to playing the anchor role but doubted if anchor role players could alter their game to achieve a 200-strike rate. He cited Rahane as the only player this year who had successfully made such a transition.
Faf du Plessis said that the anchor role might be dying off, but it depends on how each batsman performs. He thinks opening or batting at number three and trying to bat through the innings is becoming less common. Du Plessis also said 181 was a par score, but scoring 15 or 20 runs in one over could change the game. He felt such an over could happen during the powerplay.
Also Read: IPL 2023: Orange Cap, Purple Cap And Updated Points Table
Mahipal Lomror explained the tactics RCB used to reach a total of 181 after his impressive knock. He said Kohli played his usual game and scored his sixth half-century of the season, but it was his fearlessness that allowed them to post a decent total.
The strategy was for Kohli to take the game deep while Lomror attempted to hit a boundary or two in every over. Although the ball was turning, Lomror took some risks which paid off when he hit a couple of sixes off Kuldeep Yadav.
Anchoring an innings remained an essential aspect of the game according to Lomror as it’s not easy for new batters to start hitting from the first ball regardless of wicket conditions. Thus, a settled batter could make a significant difference by playing 30-40 balls and becoming an anchor.
When there is already a settled batter in place, chances are higher for more boundaries towards the end rather than with new batters coming in frequently. According to Lomror, RCB put up a good total considering the conditions but their bowlers could have performed better.
