Virat has been opening for his IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru for some time; and while performing the same role this season, he has already scored 500 runs, including a century and four fifties, at a strike rate of 147.49 to be number two currently on the list of top run-getters in IPL 2024.
That gives India another option for an opening batsman at the T20 World Cup, besides Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. But many believe Virat can play the role of a stabilizing anchor in the Indian batting line-up on pithes that are expected to be a lot slower than the flat tracks being dished out in this IPL, which has resulted in frequent totals in excess of 200.
However, former Australia allrounder Tom Moody disagrees, as he believes there is “no such thing as an anchor in T20s”.
“The term is wrong. There is no such thing as an anchor in T20s. He (Kohli) needs to dictate the terms. He’s got many gears. He needs to work through those. He’s smart enough and experienced enough to adjust to 11-an-over or 9-an-over required rate,” said Moody.
Batting at No. 3 throughout his T2O international career, Kohli has played some sublime knocks for India, which quickly takes the mind back to his 82 against Australia in Mohali during the 2016 T20 World Cup and a majestic 82 not out against Pakistan in Melbourne during their 2022 T20 World Cup match.
Meanwhile, former India pacer Irfan Pathan has predicted that Kohli will have a major impact on the upcoming T20 World Cup to be co-hosted by USA and West Indies from June 2 to 29.
“Jab waqt aata hai, yehi player akela khada hota hai, Virat Kohli (when it’s required, he is the player who stands alone),” said Pathan while talking on Star Sports.
“Believe me, there will be a point during the T20 World Cup when there will be need, and the guy you will find chasing it till the end will be him, Virat Kohli,” Irfan added.
India, who are grouped alongside Pakistan, Ireland, USA and Canada, will open their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York, followed by the big game against Pakistan on June 9 at the same venue.