IPL 2023: Virat Kohli batting template getting redundant in T20? Experts agree

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Virat Kohli's 55 off 46 balls in a losing cause against Delhi Capitals has fuelled the growing debate on the "dying" role of anchors in the T20 format. RCB trudged to 23 for no loss in the first four overs before breaking loose to end with 51 in the powerplay.

Kohli's approach of "taking the game deep" was understandable considering the non-performance of the middle-order but it potentially cost them 20 extra runs for what could have been a winning total at the Feroz Shah Kotla. He scored 19 off the first 18 balls he faced.

The game is changing rapidly and this IPL already has the most number of 200-plus totals scored in a season. The batters are striving to add muscle to their game to stay relevant in the shortest format.

The boom or bust approach has become the need of the hour and Salt epitomised that on Saturday night. Earlier in the season, Delhi head coach Ricky Ponting also expressed his doubts over the future of anchors in T20s.

"I'm a believer in, you know, if you've got aggressive, powerful batsman, they can change their game to play the anchor role, but anchor role players can very rarely change to be that 200 strike rate. The only one I can think of this year is Rahane," the Australian legend had said ahead of the Sunrisers game.

"I feel probably that anchor role is dying off a little bit, but it also just comes down to how you're going on the day as an individual batsman. Sometimes you just don't get off to the start that you want to and therefore you're almost sort of forced to play a different role.

"It's a day-by-day thing, but I think the actual role of someone batting an opening or batting at number three and trying to bat through the entire innings I think that's dying off."

Former Australia cricketer Tom Moody - who has been the coach of a couple of IPL teams in the past - insisted that Kohli kind of approach might be getting redundant in the T20 format.

Moody said on ESPNCricinfo, "It's an interesting one. We will always have this debate because it is the Virat Kohli template. It's the way he bats. His career strike rate is around 130. His ability to continue to churn out runs is quite extraordinary."

Analysing RCB's batting in the game against Delhi Capitals, Moody further said, "But did they (RCB) get as many as they could have? If he took his foot a little off the brake and went with Lomror, and tried to target a boundary in an over himself, we will never know."

"But maybe he also felt that whilst the other end was flying along, his role was to feed that other end. But in my view, particularly with the impact player, the game has really moved on from that style of cricket.

"That's why we are seeing so many totals go to 200+. There is no such role. We all need to be going here at 150+ without a doubt because we have the comfort of depth," Moody added further.

(With PTI inputs)