A DIFFERENT KOHLI TO THE FORE

Former captain's micro powerplay cameo set the pulses racing as India beat Afghanistan by 6 wickets in Indore mand, they are expected to bat in a certain way.

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ROHIT Sharma is out for another duck in the very first over. India are chasing 173 in Indore against Afghanistan and in comes Virat Kohli, taking guard in a T20I for the first time since the World Cup semifinal against England in November 2022. His first ball, last one in Fazalhaq Farooqi's first over, is driven to mid-on for no run. Afghanistan bring on Mujeeb Ur Rahman, a negative match-up for Kohli. Now, this is the kind of situation where Kohli digs deep. He puts his foot down, gets to 20 off 20, and pile on after while the batter at the other keeps the momentum going. It has been his template in the shortest format for the longest time.

This Indian T20I team, however, is different. There are no anchors in this side. From Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top to Jitesh Sharma at No. 6, all of them are intent merchants.

There is no set template. Unless the conditions or situations demand, they are expected to bat in a certain way. That is what they have done in the time since the 2022 T20 World Cup.