**Williamson’s Strike Rate Under Fire After New Zealand’s T20 World Cup Exit**
Former England captain Michael Vaughan sparked debate following New Zealand’s disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup. He pointed the finger at Kane Williamson’s low strike rate, suggesting the Kiwi batsman could learn from Virat Kohli’s recent transformation.
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Vaughan acknowledged that Williamson wouldn’t morph into a high-octane scorer like Kohli, known for his aggressive batting. However, he emphasized the need for Williamson to adapt his game to the demands of modern T20 cricket.
Kohli, once known for a more measured approach, displayed a remarkable improvement in strike rate during IPL 2024. Vaughan highlighted this evolution, particularly Kohli’s newfound ability to play innovative shots against spin bowling. He suggested that Williamson could benefit from a similar “tempo boost” of around 15%, increasing his scoring rate without sacrificing his core strengths.
Williamson’s struggles in the World Cup were evident. He managed only 28 runs in four matches, with a concerningly low strike rate below 88. This sluggish batting contributed to New Zealand’s early exit, raising questions about Williamson’s suitability for the fast-paced T20 format.
Vaughan’s comments reignited the discussion about the balance between traditional batting and the explosive strokeplay needed in T20s. Can Williamson find a middle ground, upping his scoring rate without compromising his anchoring role for the New Zealand batting line-up?
Only time will tell if Williamson takes inspiration from Kohli’s transformation. But one thing’s for sure: New Zealand needs him to find a way to be more impactful in the shortest format if they aim to challenge for future T20 titles.
