'I'm back at my absolute best': Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has made it abundantly clear that he will not alter his technique to become a slam-bang batter in the IPL, as he has a WTC final next month and has to play various formats throughout the year. This was a bold statement from a man who has been criticized, sometimes unfairly, for his strike-rate in T20s more frequently than anyone else.

However, that is Kohli for you. Always self-assured and willing to combat fire with fire. Certainly, the magnificent century he scored against Sunrisers Hyderabad to aid his team Royal Challengers Bangalore take a giant step toward securing a playoff spot was a factor.

Kohli is possibly the last batsman who can play and succeed in all formats without compromising his batting fundamentals. Due to the varying demands of T20s, ODIs, and Tests, the number of all-format batsmen is rapidly dwindling.

Consider the leading Indian cricketers as an example. Within days of playing an intense four-match Test series against Australia, they transitioned to T20 mode for the IPL, a completely different franchise environment. When they face Australia on June 7, they will have to make this mental and technical adjustment once more, but this time with a greater prize at stake. Not to mention the challenges of playing at The Oval, a neutral venue.

Players like Virat Kohli stand out in this regard. Typically, they are able to make these alterations and come out on top. If this is not sufficient evidence, then the conversation between the legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting and Kohli should suffice. Ponting, who is presently the coach of Delhi Capitals, shed light on a recent conversation he had with Kohli during an IPL league match.

"I caught up with Virat about a month ago when we played them in Bangalore," said Ponting. "And I had a lengthy conversation with him about his batting, his current position, and his career. And he told me at that time that he feels he's nearly back to his utmost best.

"You probably saw that last night, he's had a very successful IPL, and I'm certain he'll be the prize wicket that all the Australians are anticipating."

After enduring a two-year slump, Kohli began to rediscover his form during last year's Asia Cup. Once he struck that century against Afghanistan - his first in the shortest format - there was no turning back. The old Kohli returned. The rivers began to flow, and the centuries continued to arrive.

This is likely one of the primary reasons why Ponting views the WTC final as a contest between India's top order and Australia's pace attack, headed by captain Pat Cummins."I believe India's top order will face off against Australia's fast bowling. It's a mouth-watering prospect moving forward.

"We typically consider the contests between India's spinners and Australia's batters. But will the wicket at The Oval counteract this? Typically, the wickets I've played on at The Oval have begun as excellent batting surfaces, but have offered some assistance to the spinners as the game progresses. "That's what I'd like to see on this wicket on day four, day five, or maybe even day six, depending on how things are going," he said.

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The two-time World Cup-winning captain was also questioned about the impact of the IPL on the workload disparity between Indian and Australian cricketers prior to the WTC final.

"There are two perspectives," he explained. "For a player like Virat Kohli, is it preferable for him to play now, score runs consistently, and enter a game with confidence? Instead of being the Australians who have been back home and haven't been playing much cricket, they will be mentally better prepared, but lack the runs and cricket experience...

"Will Mohammad Shami be in a stronger position (in terms of skills) than Pat Cummins? Cummins has not played cricket in several months. It is challenging. A great deal depends on the individual.

"The Indian athletes who are here to compete in the IPL will not be solely focused on the IPL. They will focus on labor management to ensure that they are fit to bowl in a Test match in a few weeks.