T20 World Cup 2024: Virat Kohli is Struggling to Score runs in the T20 World Cup in tough New York conditions! - Sportsayz
Virat Kohli is struggling to make runs at the T20 WC 2024:
An irresistible name in Indian cricket, Virat Kohli doesn't finds himself in an interesting position in the T20 World Cup. Despite India's strong start in straight two wins against Ireland and Pakistan, Kohli's personal form has been a source of concern. Just 1 and 4 score against Ireland and Pakistan painted a picture of disappointment for the tournament’s leading run-scorer.
According to cricket expert Sanjay Manjrekar, the issue lies in Kohli's recent change in batting style. Manjrekar believes that Kohli's only focus is on increasing his strike rate, which has been the focus in the last couple of years, could affect his performance on the tough New York pitch.
IPL brilliance vs World Cup woes:
Coming off a phenomenal IPL 2024 season for RCB, where he amassed an astonishing 741 runs at a strike rate of over 154, Kohli seems to have silenced the critics mainly with his aggressive approach against spinners yielding fantastic results But it does this mess and it looks set on a hard, slow New York wicket, where caution hits are the norm.
Sanjay Manjrekar on Kohli:
Manjrekar proposes a seemingly counterintuitive solution: Kohli should rediscover the "old Virat". According to Manjrekar, this version of Kohli thrived in tough conditions and displayed a more aggressive approach in tight spots. Manjarekar elaborated while talking to media.
"The problem with Virat Kohli is that his strike rate has been talked about a lot in the last couple of years, in this IPL season he completely changed it. His strike rate went up to 150, though others have around 200,000." but that's it." same idea, but the tone of voice." If you already knew Virat Kohli, it would be much better."
Manjrekar believes that Kohli's current approach may not suit the current situation under the influence of his desire to try harder. He suggests a short-term shift to a more calculated approach, which prioritizes innings construction over solid pitches. According to Manjrekar, this will give Kohli an edge in the current form.
Easy balance:
Manjrekar admits that he needs to adjust Kohli's game. He proposes a two-pronged approach:
Embrace the "old Virat" on a rough pitch: Kohli's experience in dealing with tight spots should be leveraged. A more thoughtful approach that seems to have succeeded before can pay off.
Get back to aggressive mode on bat-friendly pitches: When pitches are softer and scoring restrictions are more manageable, Kohli can unleash his natural aggression, replicating the success he saw in the IPL
The way forward:
Manjrekar's advice poses an interesting challenge for Kohli. Can he navigate this strategic adjustment smoothly in the middle of the tournament? Will "old Virat" come back to dominate these unforgiving pitches? Only time and Kohli's next innings will tell.
Beyond the Numbers Game:
This scenario also highlights how difficult it is to judge a batsman based on strike rate alone. While a high strike rate is desired in T20 cricket, it is important to consider the context – pitch conditions, match conditions and overall team structure
Kohli's experience and adaptability have always been his strengths. If he can adjust his approach smoothly based on the background and the needs of the team, he can surely silence his critics and lead India to T20 World Cup glory. The cricketing world is waiting with bat breath to see which version of Virat Kohli comes next.