‘There has to be balance…’ – Mithali Raj clarifies her stance on debate between strike rate and average in T20s
Mithali Raj & Virat Kohli (Source: Twitter)
With the immense development of T20 cricket, strike rate and average have become a hot topic in this format. While Test and ODI cricket need a batter who can score more runs, one who starts smashing from the first ball is crucial in the shortest version of the game. The strike rate is once again in the spotlight as the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) fever is all around the world.
The IPL 2023 has entered its fourth week and we have already witnessed a lot of exciting action on the field. Some players have given their teams a perfect start by scoring maximum runs during the powerplay, and others have displayed heroism by pulling off dramatic wins in the dying overs.
As the debate about strike rate and average in T20 cricket continues, former India women’s captain Mithali Raj has clarified her stand on the matter. During a chat with Hindustan Times, when asked about the scoring rate and scope of anchor in the shortest format, Mithali Raj said:
“Both are important… in a way, it has become a topic of discussion because of the advancement of T20 cricket but one can’t be putting too much emphasis on one aspect while ignoring the other. There has to be that balance. If you are having a good run then you are expected to score runs and also maintain a good strike rate. Form is even more valuable in this format because there is no time. It moves very fast and you don’t get the opportunity to create your own rhythm. It also depends on where you bat.”
“If you are an opener, then have to go hard in the powerplay. It’s the best way to use the field restrictions and get as many runs as possible. But say the pitch is difficult and you are losing wickets then you can’t just depend on strike rate. You bat according to the situation, according to what the demands of your team are. The strike rate is very important in this format but not it is not the whole and sole of it,” she added.
After the first six overs a different phase starts: Mithali Raj
When asked about the strike rate in the middle of the game, Mithali used Virat Kohli as an example, who scores quickly during powerplays but struggles afterwards, Mithali responded that every player is different.
“Every player is different. When we talk about Virat, he is more of a timer. He banks a lot more on fours and running between the wickets than power-hitting. The way he has been starting in the powerplay in this IPL is great. The faster the bowler bowls, the easier it seems for him to dispatch the ball to the boundary. The strike rate that he has against the Pacers is amazing. He must have put in a lot of hard work and that is why we see this remarkable improvement in facing the fast bowlers.”
“We have to take into consideration that after the first six overs a different phase starts. The field restrictions just get over, there are more fielders guarding the boundary so naturally, the strike rate will come down a bit but it should not come down drastically,” the 40-year-old added.
