Virat Kohli (Image credit: X)
NEW DELHI: How much has T20 cricket changed over the years? Many. The old formula of simply seeing the ball and hitting it hard has evolved into a game driven by technology, innovation and adaptability. Bat swings, unorthodox shots, new inventions and underhanded power have all become part of the modern batting playbook.As batsmen keep evolving, bowlers also keep finding new ways to survive in this high-scoring era. Wide yorkers, slower deliveries, knee balls and clever variations are now key weapons in a bowler’s arsenal. Meanwhile, fielding standards have touched a whole other level – breathtaking boundary catches, relay efforts and athletic stops that leave the fans in the stands stunned. So has T20 cricket become purely a youth game?Not really.While teenage sensations and young stars like Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Priyansh Arya and Abhishek Sharma are firing on all cylinders, bowlers like Sakib Hussain, Prince Yadav, Praful Hinge and Anshul Kamboj are also making a strong impact with the ball.At the same time, the experienced players – especially those in the 35 and over club – still match the intensity and hunger of the younger generation.Virat Kohli, now 35, still smashes bowlers all over the park with the same intensity as players much younger than him. He is currently the leading run-scorer for RCB this season.At 36, Bhuvneshwar Kumar continues to shine with the ball and remains among the leading wicket-takers this season.Meanwhile, Krunal Pandya, also 35, has played a game-changing role for Royal Challengers Bengaluru on several occasions this season.In a podcast with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, RCB star batsman Kohli said he feels T20 cricket has now become a “completely different game” and not just a different format.“Every ball is an intense event. Every ball feels like the momentum of the game could change. It’s almost like you’re playing a high-intensity Champions League football match where one wrong pass or one slip and the whole competition is over. So it’s getting to that level, the talent is through the roof. You see the youngsters coming up, how they say they can hit the ball – they’re growing up on explosive cricket,” li.Kohli further cited the examples of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Grame Smith.“There are different ways to achieve the same goals and everyone has their own way of playing the game. We’ve had so many cases in the past where people have batted in different stances. They’ve hit the ball in different areas. For example, Graeme Smith felt it was very difficult for him to hit the ball over the offside with a direct bat, but through the side he was very successful. And if you look at it, you have that as a captain. to have that belief in your own game, even if it’s different from others,” he said.
Which aspect of T20 cricket has improved the most?
“It’s not like AB de Villiers where everything is perfectly aligned. Not like Sachin Tendulkar where the bat came down in an absolutely straight line. But people have found ways to succeed without having that ability or that particular way of playing the game. That’s very similar for me or actually for Bhuvi. Of course, cricket today is evolving and the nature of the game is also changing. the evolution of the game, it’s almost a different game, not just a different format. In fact, with KL they were having fun and he told me this, ‘I feel like it’s a completely different game,'” Kohli said.
