India star Virat Kohli knows he needs to continue making adjustments to his game if he is to keep up with the evolving nature of T20 cricket.
Kohli discussed the finer points of his batting following a Player of the Match performance for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday and just months out from the start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean.
The right-hander looked in good touch as he contributed a quickfire 77 at the top pf the order for Royal Challengers Bengaluru at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, hitting 11 fours and two massive sixes against a world-class Punjab Kings bowling line-up that included South Africa quick Kagiso Rabada, England all-rounder Sam Curran and India teammate Arshdeep Singh.
It was Kohli’s ability to use his feet and loft the likes of Rabada and Arshdeep over cover that stood out most during his 49-ball stay and the 35-year-old admitted this tactic has been something he has been working on in recent times.
“Well I mean you have to (make additions to your game),” Kohli noted post-match.
“People know I play the cover drive pretty well so they’re not going to allow me to hit gaps and with guys like KG (Rabada) and Arshdeep as well, he’s tall. So, I mean, if they’re hitting length, you have to create some momentum in the ball.
“And once you’re closer to the ball, you kind of negate the bounce that’s going to happen. You meet it earlier.”