IND vs SA: Virat Kohli Goes Past Rahul Dravid To Achieve Big Milestone On Day 1 Of Cape Town Test

Indian skipper Virat Kohli scored 79 off 201 deliveries and was involved in two key partnerships to help India get to 223 in the first innings of the third Test. Kohli got to his fifty in 157 deliveries and it was the second slowest of his Test career. In the process, he went past Rahul Dravid’s tally of 624 runs to become the second-highest run-getter against South Africa in South Africa. 

Virat Kohli walked out to bat with India at 33/2 losing the openers in quick succession. He then forged a 62-run partnership with Cheteshwat Pujara (43) and then again a 51-run stand with Rishabh Pant (27). India lost the wickets of Pant and Ravichandran Ashwin soon after tea as India were eventually bowled out for 223. 

In trying to up the ante Virat Kohli perished on 79 after getting to his 28th Test fifty. He was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada who took four wickets in the Indian first innings and looked the best of the lot. Marco Jansen took three wickets that included the wickets of Pant and Ashwin as well. 

Kohli got a lot of appreciation for his gritty knock in the first innings. Though he failed to convert it into a hundred, former India and South African cricketers hailed his approach towards his innings. Kohli scored 19 runs off his first 80-odd balls and built on his innings from there.  Former Protean skipper Shaun Pollock was impressed by his mental application on a tricky surface at Newlands. 

Mental Application Was Key To Him: Shaun Pollock On Virat Kohli

“Mental application was the key to him. I think he came in with the mindset that, ‘I haven’t got a 100 in a while so I’m going to get stuck in here and try and get a big score and try to get to the three-figure mark.’ He was very, very watchful about what he did,” said Pollock on Kohli.

South Africa were 17/1 at stumps on day 1 having lost the key wicket of skipper Dean Elgar. The onus is on the rest of the batsmen to get the tough runs and build on a good lead. The Indian bowlers will have their tail up heading into the second day.

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