Former India opener Gautam Gambhir applauded Virat Kohli’s grit which he showed on the first day of the decider at Cape Town. India captain showed lots of patience and perseverance to score 79 runs off 201 deliveries. However, India bowled out for an underwhelming score of 223 as other batters didn’t contribute much as India elected to bat first on the first day.
Virat Kohli scored his second slowest fifty in his Test career as he reached the milestone in 158 deliveries. The only time he scored a slower fifty in Test cricket, was against England at Nagpur 2012 when he reached the fifty mark off 171 deliveries.
Virat Kohli scored his second slowest fifty of his Test career
Gautam Gambhir pointed out that Kohli lived up to his words as he (Kohli ) always suggested to leave his ego aside while playing outside Asia. In the few test matches, there was a constant pattern following in Kohli’s dismissals as he kept getting out while chasing a wide delivery outside off. But in this innings, he chose his shots very carefully.
Gambhir also recalled his success in England tour 2018 when Kohli impressed one and all in challenging conditions against the quality attack of James Anderson & Co. Kohli scored 593 runs in 5 Tests with an average of 59.3 which included 2 quality hundreds at Birmingham and Nottingham.
“Virat has said many times that when you go to England, you should leave behind your ego in India. Today, Virat Kohli left behind his ego in the kit bag and this knock reminds me of his very succesful tour of England, where he got beaten many times but left a lot of deliveries outside off-stump,” said Gambhir on Star Sports after first day’s play.
“Today, in the same way, he left deliveries outside off-stump, he got beaten as well but kept his ego with himself. He did not try to dominate the bowlers on every delivery,” he added.
Though other than Kohli, no Indian batter showed that much patience as there were too many soft dismissals in Indian innings. India bowled out for 223. In response, South Africa scored 17/1 at the close of day 1 as they lost the wicket of their captain Dean Elgar.
Aiden Markram and the nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj remain unbeaten as the hosts would look to take a lead on day-2.
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