We Failed to Get a Big Partnership and Take the First Innings Lead: Virat Kohli

South Africa won yet another series against India, led by Virat Kohli, at home after registering a 151 runs victory at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on the final day of the 2^nd Test. It was a sensational piece of fast bowling by Lungisani Ngidi who made his debut and finished with 6/39 in the 2^nd innings which was instrumental in helping South Africa register a comprehensive victory at the end.

There was no respite for the visitors as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Rohit Sharma struck some excellent shots during his knock of 47 which was the only bright spot for India on the final day of the 2^nd Test. Ngidi kept chipping away with the wickets while Kagiso Rabada chipped in with three wickets.

Batting first South Africa posted 335 in their 1^st innings courtesy a brilliant knock of 94 by Aiden Markram and a fluent knock of 82 by Hashim Amla. Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the Indian bowlers bagging four wickets while Ishant Sharma also chipped in with three wickets.

Courtesy a sensational knock of 153 by Virat Kohli, India replied strongly but eventually fell 28 runs short of the South African 1^st innings total. Morne Morkel was the pick of the Proteas bowlers bagging four wickets for 60 runs.

The Proteas managed to score 258 in their 2^nd essay riding on a brilliant 80 by AB de Villiers and a good half-century by Faf du Plessis. Mohammed Shami was the wrecker-in-chief for India bagging four wickets while Jasprit Bumrah also chipped in 3 wickets.

Here is what Indian skipper Virat Kohli said at the post-match presentation

“Yeah (the wicket gave us our best chance). We thought the wicket was really flat. Quite surprising. I told the guys the wicket looks different to what it looked before the toss. I thought it was our chance to put some runs on the board. Especially after SA lost wickets in the first innings, we should have capitalized. We failed to get a good partnership and take the lead. We have let ourselves down from the first game into the second. The bowlers have done the job but the batsmen have let the team down again and that’s why we stand here. I want to leave everything on the field, for my country, for my team. That’s the way I play. 150(sic) means nothing right now that we have lost the series. If we had won, even a 50 or a 30 would have mattered more to me. Having not won the game, personal milestones don’t matter to me. As a team, you want to win collectively. We tried but we weren’t good enough. South Africa was better than us, especially in the fielding department, and that’s why they are the winners. And they deserve to be.”

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