Aaron Finch, the former Australian captain, believes that Virat Kohli possesses the ability to achieve a remarkable strike rate akin to emerging T20 talents. However, he suggests that the current structure of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) requires Kohli to adopt a more cautious strategy to ensure a successful season.
Finch, who led Australia to victory in the T20 World Cup in the UAE in 2021, pointed out that the high-risk style of play, exemplified by players like Rohit Sharma, can lead to inconsistencies.
After a few disappointing seasons, Kohli recorded a strike rate close to 140 in 2023, with his peak performance in IPL 2024, where he amassed 741 runs at an impressive strike rate of 154.70.
The question arises: should Kohli modify his gameplay to maximize RCB's potential, especially given their relatively weaker bowling lineup?
Finch posed a critical question: "Do you aim for 700 or 800 runs, or are you satisfied with 400? If you want Kohli to increase his strike rate, he can certainly do that, but it comes with greater risk and potential inconsistency," he stated during an exclusive interview with a Media House ahead of the 18th season of the league.
He added, "There’s no pressing need for a drastic change. Perhaps a slight adjustment in tempo would be beneficial. Overall, I would rely on his scoring ability consistently."
Finch acknowledged that the game has evolved significantly regarding how teams approach the Powerplay overs, but he emphasized that each player's strengths vary.
He remarked, "It's unrealistic to expect all seven batters to strike at 200 from the outset. If that strategy fails, it could cost the game."
While acknowledging the advancements in the game over the past two seasons, he stressed the importance of having a solid foundation and a player capable of anchoring the innings.
Although Rohit Sharma's IPL strike rate is comparable to Kohli's, he has taken more risks in the latter stages of his T20I career, achieving notable success at the top of the order.
Finch, reflecting on his own experience as an opener, noted the quality of players in the Mumbai Indians lineup, which allows them to maintain momentum even when challenges arise.
He explained, "Rohit has had strong players around him, enabling him to take risks. He can afford to play aggressively because he knows Kohli is there to stabilize the innings if needed."
The Mumbai Indians' lineup includes key players like Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, providing Rohit with the support to take calculated risks.
Finch emphasized that Kohli's presence allows Rohit to play freely, stating, "When Rohit makes that decision, he knows Virat is there to back him up at number three, which gives him the confidence to play aggressively."
He cautioned against having all players swinging for the fences from the start, highlighting the need for balance within the team.
Finch concluded that if Kohli can maintain a strike rate of 150, it would be a significant achievement. He remarked, "If Kohli's strike rate increases from 140 to 150, that’s certainly achievable. However, he often finds himself in situations where he has to rescue RCB when others fail."
He reiterated, "I would trust a top-three player like Kohli to deliver runs consistently, as it provides the rest of the batting order with the freedom to play more aggressively."
