The First Innings Score Gave Us A Good Start - Virat Kohli

Fast bowler Mohammed Shami was in his elements as Team India produced an outstanding effort to go 1-0 up beating South Africa by 203 runs in Visakhapatnam. Shami returned with a fifer on the final day while Ravindra Jadeja complemented him with four wickets. Skipper Virat Kohli hailed the fighting effort of the players while speaking at the end of the game.

South Africa had started the day aiming for a block the 9 wickets remaining. That quickly reduced to 8 as Theunis de Bruyn played an ill-fated cut and was bowled by Ravichandran Ashwin, making him the joint-quickest to 350 Test wickets.

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Mohammed Shami then joined the scene claiming three bowled to break South Africa’s backbone. He removed Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock before Ravindra Jadeja picked three in one over to have South Africa at 70 for eight.

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The innings went beyond the first session thanks to Dane Piedt and Senuran Muthusamy who stuck to their methods, albeit with a lot of good fortune. When Virat Kohli turned to Shami once again, he delivered the first ball, getting Piedt to drag on after a sprightly 56. Shami added Rabada to his scalps a little later to finish with his fourth five-fer in the second innings to seal the game.

Virat Kohli, while speaking at the end of the game, hailed his teammates for putting in significant contributions throughout the match. He also said that the first innings total was very crucial as it sets the tone for the rest of the match. Kohli made special mention of Mohammed Shami, who was spectacular in the second innings.

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Here is what Kohli said,

The wicket played really good for the first three days. We lost a session. When you put 500 on the board, you’re always ahead. Even with the fight they showed, we still had a lead. Rohit was outstanding. Mayank brilliant. It was a hard grind because of the conditions, especially the weather conditions. And the pitch slowed down too. It’s all about the attitude. If fast bowlers are going to think that spinners are going to do all the work, then it doesn’t justify their place. They ask for shorter spells so they can give 100%. That’s when you see guys like Shami, Ishant, Jasprit and Umesh as well doing well. It’s all about wanting to make a play for the team even in conditions that are difficult. Jaddu and Ash again, really good. Pitch was flat, they got a few boundaries away. Always knew it was going to be a second innings pitch. Shami has been a strike bowler in the second innings. All the guys lived up to their strengths. Batting heroes were obvious. But bowlers had it tougher in this game. This lot of SG balls is much better than the last one. If it softens up, there’s literally nothing happening after 40-45 overs. Will still like it to be harder till about 60 overs.

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