The Two Shots Even Virat Kohli Finds Tricky: A Look at the Sweep and Scoop
If you’re an ardent cricket fan, you’d know that Virat Kohli is synonymous with perfection on the cricket field. With a batting technique that’s often hailed as textbook perfect, Kohli has given bowlers sleepless nights. But here’s an intriguing twist: no cricketer is perfect, not even the run-machine himself. Yes, we’re diving into a discussion that might make a few Kohli fans squirm a bit. We’re talking about the two shots that have often shown the human side of this cricketing demigod: the scoop shot and the sweep shot.
For a player who makes the cover drive look poetic and the pull shot a work of art, it’s fascinating that these two shots have proven somewhat elusive. Now, it’s not that Kohli hasn’t attempted them or that he’s entirely inept at them. But when you compare his mastery over other shots, these two stand out as areas where even Kohli’s otherwise rock-solid technique seems to slightly waver. So, let’s put on our analysis hats and delve into why the scoop and sweep are the two shots that even Virat Kohli doesn’t play all that well.
The Elusive Scoop Shot
Let’s begin with the scoop shot, shall we? A shot that requires immense wrist work and excellent hand-eye coordination, the scoop has been successfully pulled off by players like AB de Villiers and Tillakaratne Dilshan. It’s a shot used primarily to tackle yorker-length deliveries, usually off fast bowlers. The challenge here is to ‘scoop’ the ball over the wicketkeeper or the fine leg fielder.
So, why does Kohli struggle with this? Firstly, it’s not a shot you’d naturally associate with him. Kohli is more about grace and timing, whereas the scoop shot is an audacious, risky stroke. In Kohli’s case, the risk often outweighs the reward. He prefers dispatching yorkers through traditional cricketing shots rather than opting for a scoop, which could be potentially hazardous.
The Sweep Shot Saga
Next up is the sweep shot. Generally used against spinners, this shot involves getting down on one knee and sweeping the ball either fine or square. Think of players like Kumar Sangakkara or Younis Khan, who’ve made a living out of this stroke.
When it comes to Kohli, his natural game revolves around using his feet to get to the pitch of the ball against spinners. He prefers driving or flicking the ball rather than employing the sweep. Therefore, when he does go for the sweep, it often looks forced, not as natural as his other strokes. His reluctance to use this shot regularly can be attributed to his preference for other, more dominant shots in his arsenal.
It’s All About Choices
In the grand scheme of things, Kohli’s ‘limitations’ in these two shots have hardly affected his overall game. His repertoire is so expansive that he can afford to bypass these strokes. But the rarity of seeing him play these shots successfully also adds a layer of vulnerability, a reminder that even the greatest have areas where they can improve.
ALSO READ Virat Kohli Is A Better ODI Player Than Babar Azam
The Takeaway
So, there you have it, a detailed look at the two shots that give even Virat Kohli a run for his money. These limitations in no way diminish his greatness; if anything, they make him more relatable. After all, cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties, and who better to remind us of that than Kohli himself? Even legends have their kryptonite, and in Kohli’s case, it’s the scoop and sweep. Yet, these ‘flaws’ make us appreciate his artistry even more, as they remind us that even in imperfection, there’s beauty to be found.
