Cricket has changed a lot. T20 cricket is fast and aggressive. Teams often score over 180 or even 200 runs. This makes it hard for batters to play well in all three formats: T20, ODI, and Test. Each format needs a different style and mindset. Can a batter truly excel in all three today?
The Golden Era of All-Format Batters
In the past, some players mastered all formats. Two names stand out: Virat Kohli and David Warner.
Virat Kohli was a superstar. His Test average is 46.85, ODI average is 57.88, and T20I average is 48.69. His strong technique and mental focus made him great. In T20s, he played smartly, staying calm before attacking. His 122* in a T20I showed his skill. He switched between formats easily.
David Warner was different but just as good. His Test average is 44.59, and he once scored a triple century. In T20s, he could smash a 50 in just 14 balls. His bold style worked across formats. But even he struggled to balance aggression sometimes.
The Struggle to Balance Formats
Today, it’s harder to excel in all formats. The game demands different skills. T20 needs fast scoring and big hits. Test cricket needs patience and defense. Switching between these is tough.
Take KL Rahul as an example. In 2016-17, he was brilliant in Tests, scoring 1172 runs at over 50. But in 2018, his IPL form was amazing, with 659 runs at a strike rate of nearly 160. This aggressive style hurt his Test game. From 2018-19, his Test average dropped to 22. He tried to adjust his style, but his IPL strike rate fell to 135 in 2019 and 129 in 2020. He once said, “Strike rates are overrated.” His struggle to balance formats was clear.
Rohit Sharma faced similar issues. In 2019, he was a great Test opener, scoring 556 runs at 92.66. He also smashed big ODI hundreds. But after India’s loss in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Rohit changed his style. He played fearlessly in the 2023 ODI World Cup, giving fast starts. This worked in ODIs but hurt his Test game. His aggressive shots led to quick dismissals in Tests, especially against swing and seam.
A Global Challenge
This problem isn’t just for Indian players. Stars like Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Joe Root are Test and ODI giants. But they often struggle in T20s. They get stuck between playing safe and hitting hard.
The mental shift is huge. A T20 opener must attack from the first ball. A Test batter must wait and defend. Doing both well is a big challenge.
The Future of Cricket
Can young players like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Kamindu Mendis, Aiden Markram, Rachin Ravindra, or Harry Brook master all formats? Or will cricket split into specialists? Some may focus only on Tests, others on ODIs or T20s.
The game is changing fast. T20 demands power and speed. Tests need patience and skill. Young cricketers may need to choose one format early. Those who try to master all might fall behind.
What’s Next?
The answer will shape cricket’s future. Will we see more all-format stars like Kohli and Warner? Or will specialists take over? Only time will tell. For now, the challenge of mastering all three formats remains one of cricket’s biggest tests.
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