India, March 25 -- There comes a moment, early in most IPL innings now, when the past feels very far away. It might come in the second over, when a length ball is nonchalantly muscled over extra cover. Or in the third, when a spinner is slog-swept. Usually, there would be nothing wrong with the delivery. Just that premeditative batting has taken on a completely new avatar. What used to be reconnaissance has become assault. What used to be patience is slowly slipping into the category of inefficiency.

For years, T20 batting's most prized craft belonged to the anchor-that cog in the wheel who could absorb pressure, manage risk and bat deep. A 50 from 35 balls was once the gold standard of control. It held innings together, allowed attack t...