IND vs SA: Watch- Virat Kohli Angers Aiden Markram By Swapping Bails Before KL Rahul Joins

Virat Kohli was at his animated best during day one of the ongoing second Test between India and South Africa at the Newlands, Cape Town. The former India skipper stole the show on the opening day of the game with his antics on the field.

From advising Mohammed Siraj on how to bowl to Marco Jansen, which led to the latter’s dismissal, to dancing to the tune of the “Ram Siya Ram” song, and even joining Shubman Gill in a dance, the batting superstar remained actively involved in various on-field actions. Additionally, he intervened to prevent his teammates from celebrating the dismissal of the retiring Dean Elgar.

Virat Kohli ended the day on a similar note too. Just before Mukesh Kumar was getting ready to bowl the final delivery of the day, the former India skipper decided to get under the skin of South Africa batsman Aiden Markram.

Also Read: IND vs SA: Sanjay Manjrekar Blames This Player For India’s Collapse vs South Africa On Day 1 Of Cape Town Test

Virat Kohli swaps bails:

Before the final ball of the day, Virat Kohli walked to the stumps at the striker’s end and swapped the bails, repeating a gesture from the previous Test. This tactic had previously worked during the first Test in Centurion when Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Tony de Zorzi.

However, when Kohli attempted it again on Wednesday (January 3), Aiden Markram expressed clear displeasure and decided to file a complaint with the umpires. This led to both Virat Kohli and wicketkeeper KL Rahul voicing their dissatisfaction. Ultimately, Aiden Markram successfully played a defensive shot to see off the final ball.

Kohli swapped the bails at the striker's end before the final ball to play mind games with Markram?. However, Markram successfully defended the final ball of the day.#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/b1ehA3QEB0

— Deepak Prakash (@Deepakprksh) January 3, 2024

Talking about the game, the first day turned out to be extraordinary and dramatic as 23 wickets fell. Batting first, South Africa were bowled out for just 55 runs with Mohammed Siraj picking up 6 wickets for just 15 runs in 9 overs. Jasprit Bumrah and Mukesh Kumar picked up two wickets each.

In reply, India were comfortably placed on 153 for 4 before losing all of their last six wickets without scoring a single run to be all out for 153. Lungi Ngidi triggered the collapse by taking three wickets in the 34th over. He first dismissed KL Rahul for 8 before sending back Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah before they could open their accounts.

In the next over, Kagiso Rabada dismissed Virat Kohli for 46 before Siraj was run out without facing. Rabada then dismissed Prasidh Krishna for a duck to end India’s innings. India’s collapse marked the first instance of a team losing six wickets without scoring a run in Test history. In reply, South Africa ended the day on 62 for 3 in the second innings.

Also Read: IND Vs SA: Indian Batsmen Achieve Embarrassing Record On Day 1 Of Cape Town Test