Superman who fixed India’s flaw
TARGET PRACTICE Never natural chasers, India have found in Kohli the batsman who stays calm, gets the job done
Chasing a target under pressure is a difficult task in international cricket, especially in limited-overs formats. Virat Kohli’s latest masterclass, an unbeaten 51-ball 82, makes him arguably the best chaser of at least this generation.
His form and confidence, whatever the conditions or opposition, were again on display against Australia in the World Twenty20 match that had been billed as a quarterfinal. The Super 10 Group 2 tie between the top contenders had come down to that after both were upstaged by New Zealand.
Let’s look at the approach to chasing. In ODIs, teams used to bat second often because they were forced to. It is not often that they embraced the idea of chasing. For instance, under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy a decade ago, India successfully chased a series of matches. A young Suresh Raina was one of those who made it happen with a calm head.
But India have not been natural chasers. The pressure the team comes under, with a mountain of expectations, adds to the difficulties. That is where Kohli has turned into a Superman who can demolish any opposition, considering the form and class he combines.
In this tournament, India, like West Indies, have preferred to chase. Against Bangladesh, where India snatched a nail-biting onerun win in Bengaluru, the toss didn’t fall MS Dhoni’s way. That was the case on Sunday night too, but Australia skipper Steve Smith elected to bat.
He wasn’t really wrong. One delivery from Jasprit Bumrah, pitched well short, kept low and struck Glenn Maxwell below the waist. It seemed to shake the confidence of a batsman who usually has many shots for every delivery. It sowed doubts in the minds of the other Aussie batsmen as well.
MAN OF STEEL Chasing the target needs a few hands and minds of steel. That is where Kohli has allowed MS Dhoni to chase without a care in the world. For other batsmen in this format, hitting big sixes is a way to ease pressure. Kohli, on the other hand, plays late and on either side of the pitch.
This season, Kohli has been the biggest factor in India’s success. He had declared that he would not look to hit big sixes, and the ease with which he manipulates the field to score fours makes hitting a maximum a needless exercise.
In the Asia Cup final against Bangladesh, and in the high-voltage game against Pakistan, it was Kohli who stepped up to lead the chase. It is almost as if the opposing bowlers know they need luck to get Kohli. Planning doesn’t seem to get them anywhere.
Kohli has also deflected pressure by attributing the success to Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh or the other batsmen.
After the knock against Pakistan at the Eden Gardens, he spoke about a normal heart rate under pressure. In Mohali, he explained how Dhoni calmed him down and that it was a collective batting effort.
Kohli’s average while chasing is well over 80, and that is phenomenal. His bat speed, hand-eye coordination and fitness apart, he is also quick to spot field placements, make mental calculations to pick his scoring areas. Along with technique and tactics, Twenty20 also teaches players to handle pressure, be it for country or club.
India have got the perfect package deal
IN THIS TOURNAMENT, INDIA, LIKE WEST INDIES, HAVE PREFERRED TO CHASE. AGAINST BANGLADESH, WHERE INDIA SNATCHED A NAILBITING ONE-RUN WIN IN BENGALURU, THE TOSS DIDN’T FALL MS DHONI’S WAY.