Kohli's textbook-derived genius
Virat Kohli has constructed a world-beating T20 game using traditional, textbook strokeplay
29-May-2016
Despite a dominant bottom hand, Virat Kohli has mastered the cover drive • BCCI
Virat Kohli's Bradmanesque numbers in recent T20 cricket have inspired awe in spectators and fellow cricketers alike. They have also prompted many to seek to dissect the makings of his genius. Writing in the Indian Express, Sriram Veera explains how Kohli's mastery of the shortest form is founded on shots taken straight from the Test batting manual.
What does he do? He reels out the cover drives, flicks, on drives, and the cuts. And runs hard. Incredibly, he has managed to not just run with the hounds but lead the pack. Where others seem to try so hard with all the innovative shots or flex their muscle in power hitting, he has gone retro.
Though he always had the swagger, Kohli didn't initially have the game that made you gasp like other special batsmen. He is someone who has almost willed himself to greater heights by not remaining content in just being a good batsman but desiring a lot more than that. He has reached out and extended himself. And to do it with the conventional shots in the frenzy of the here and now is quite a stunning achievement.