Strange things happen when you are out of form. Or when you develop a technical flaw late in your career. You tend to get the best deliveries and your inadequate responses overlap with the bowler’s finest. Ask Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma.
Despite Kohli’s century in the Perth Test, his struggles outside the off stump — reminiscent of his struggles against Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad on the 2014 tour of England — stand out in sharp relief.
It is not unusual for a technical flaw to creep into a top batter’s game at any point. On the tour of Australia in 1980-81, the technically sound Sunil Gavaskar seemed to be uncertain where his off stump was and edged behind while being dismissed for 0, 10, 23, 5, 10 before making 70 in his final innings. Greg Chappell went through a similar run mid-career too. The key is knowing where your off stump is; doubts creep in otherwise.
The uncertainty feeds on itself. Kohli has been thrusting his bat out, failing to withdraw it in time or being served up deliveries that would have tested him at his best. Something similar is happening to Australia’s Steve Smith too. India have been attacking his leg stump and denying him the freedom to drive on the off.
The era of the Fabulous Four – Kohli, Smith, Joe Root and Ken Williamson – might be nearing its end. Root made a century in England’s recent win over New Zealand, in his 151st Test, while Williamson’s 93 and 61 in the previous Test indicated that half the greats who define contemporary batsmanship continue to be in business.
But the next generation is here and ready to take over. After Brook’s centuries in New Zealand, Root called him “the best batsman in the world.” He is 25, and averages over 60 with a triple century already. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who turns 23 this month, is No. 4 in the rankings following his century in Perth. Interestingly, the top four are Root, Brook, Williamson, Jaiswal. You can read into that mix a change of guard.
This is not just a generational change, it is a change in culture too. Brook and Jaiswal represent the spirit of the times. Both are risk-takers and bat with a casual disregard for playing safe that lights up the sport itself. Rishabh Pant, older at 27, brought in this new culture. He struck the second delivery he faced in Test cricket for a six. The fearless manner in which he stepped out first ball to send Scott Boland screaming past cover in Adelaide could well be post-modern batting’s distinguishing shot.
The fearlessness is twofold – there is no fear of physical injury, and neither is there fear of failure. The word used most often to describe Pant’s style is “ridiculous”, but it’s said in genuine admiration, as if what he does is not easily understood or described. Brook often invites that description too.
The future of batting seems to be in the hands of these players, and others who cut their teeth in T20 cricket, determined to push the boundaries of the possible. Root, who emerged from Yorkshire severity, got to his century with flair, and a reverse ramp shot.
Correctness is no longer defined by the act itself – foot position, high elbow etc – but by the result. By the product rather than the process. This is part of the new culture.
For the most part, the Fabulous Four were focused on the process. Kohli is 36, Williamson the youngest is 34, each of the four has played over 100 Tests and scored over 9000 runs. They belong to the tail-end of the generation whose attack is based on sound defence. Increasingly, as you grow older, the product begins to matter more. A scratchy 70 trumps a delightful 25.
Pant, Brook, Jaiswal are ushering in the new era. Quite the most amazing statistic to emerge in recent years is this: before the start of England’s home season, their opener Ben Duckett had left the ball alone only 31 times of the 1,915 deliveries he faced. That’s a leave percentage of 1.62! Attack is the best form of defence. Is that the lesson for Kohli and Rohit Sharma?
Published – December 11, 2024 12:43 am IST
