Virat Kohli's 46-Ball 55 Fuels 'Dying' Anchors Debate In T20 Cricket

07.05.2023 - 10:37 sports.ndtv.com

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.

Chasing 182, Phil Salt put on a masterclass of T20 batting as he went hammer and tongs from ball one to ensure Delhi mowed down the target with 20 balls to spare.

In contrast to the home team's approach, 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 a been a winning total at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

cricket Delhi Capitals Ball Ricky Ponting Virat Kohli Australia Delhi Bangalore

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar feels it would be premature to discuss Virat Kohli's future in India's T20 side, especially with the T20 World Cup set to be held next year. Kohli ended Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 on a high, scoring back-to-back centuries in Royal Challengers Bangalore's last two matches. He amassed 639 runs in 14 matches in the IPL 2023, with an average of 53.25 and a strike rate of 139.82. Aprt from his two centuries, the 34-year-old also hit six fifties during the league phase.

'Virat Kohli Will Deliver In WTC Final': Former India Selector's Verdict On Batting Great

Former chairperson of the national selection committee MSK Prasad said that star batter Virat Kohli will deliver a great performance in the final of the ICC World Test Championship against Australia because his form and state of mind is in a good place. India will be aiming to clinch the ICC World Test Championship as they lock horns with Aussies from June 7 onwards at The Oval. Virat will no doubt be one of India's key players in the quest for the country's first big ICC title since 2013.

Watch: Amid Gautam Gambhir's Chat With Sachin Tendulkar, Fans Chant Virat Kohli's Name

Needless to say, the infamous Virat Kohli-Gautam Gambhir spat was one of the most unforgettable moments of the IPL 2023. The incident happened after the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants on May 1. Since then, fans have targetted Gambhir and LSG Naveen-ul-Haq, who also had an on-field altercation with the former RCB captain during the match, by chanting Kohli's name. After LSG lost to Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator earlier this week, the crowd in Chennai was heard chanting Kohli's name while Gambhir was having a chat with batting great and MI mentor Sachin Tendulkar.

"London Mornings": Virat Kohli Reaches UK Ahead Of World Test Championship Final. See Pic

Star India batter Virat Kohli has reached the United Kingdom ahead of the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia, which will take place from June 7 onwards. India will be aiming to clinch the ICC World Test Championship as they lock horns with Aussies from June 7 onwards at The Oval. Virat will no doubt be one of India's key players in the quest for the country's first big ICC title since 2013. Virat took to Instagram to share a picture from London on his story. "London Mornings," said the caption of Virat's story.

Watch: Naveen-Ul-Haq's Reaction As Chepauk Crowd Chants Virat Kohli's Name

The rivalry between Virat Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq took an all new turn on Wednesday as the fans at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai chanted the RCB's batters in front of the pacer. The incident took place during the Eliminator match of IPL 2023 between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians, where the five-time champions emerged as the winners by 81 runs. The day turned out to be treat for the pacers as in the first innings, Naveen took a four-wicket haul and helped LSG restrict MI to 182/8. However, his efforts went in vain as Akash Madhwal outshined him and took a five-wicket haul and bundled out LSG at 101.

LSG's 'King' Tweet For 'Prince' Shubman Gill Sees Virat Kohli Fans Send Reminders

The final league game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 saw the 'prince' Shubman Gill trump the 'king' Virat Kohli as Gujarat Titans knocked Royal Challengers Bangalore out of the competition. Gill, who is considered by many as the heir to Kohli in the Indian cricket team, was lauded by the who's who of the cricketing world. As the internet bowed down to the 'prince' Shubman Gill, Lucknow Super Giants posted a tweet that wasn't taken in all positivity by RCB fans.