Prior to the start of the two-match Test series at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Tuesday, December 26, senior South African players Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Keshav Maharaj, and Kagiso Rabada lauded great Indian batter Virat Kohli.
In South Africa, the former captain of India had an outstanding record in Test matches. He has scored 719 runs at an average of 51.35 in seven Test matches. In general, Kohli’s record in Test matches against the Proteas is excellent. With three hundreds and a career best of 254*, he has amassed 1236 runs at an average of 56.18 in 14 games.
By looking at the record of Virat Kohli against South Africa, his wicket will be an important one for the host. One of the key elements of the India vs South Africa Test series may be the battle between Kohli and the South African bowlers.
“You can’t rule out a guy like Virat Kohli”- Temba Bavuma
Several South African players talked to Star Sports about their opinions of facing Virat Kohli.
Skipper Bavuma said he’s probably the biggest threat in the Indian batting lineup; he had that experience of playing here in South Africa, so he understands the condition very well.
“The biggest threat in the Indian batting line-up. Think you obviously can’t rule out a guy like Virat Kohli. He’s played here in South Africa quite a number of times, so he would say that he understands the conditions,” skipper Bavuma said.
“It’s a battle that I look forward to always”-Kagiso Rabada On Virat Kohli
Rabada claimed he always looked forward to facing the greatest batter. Pacer continued, saying that the greatest method to assess one’s skill is to compete against greats like Kohli, and he always looks forward to facing the greatest batter.
“It’s always great playing against great players. Virat is a great player. He’s had quite some success against us, but at the same time, we’ve had success against him. It’s a battle that I look forward to always, when you measure yourself up against the best. That’s the reason why you play,” Kagiso Rabada commented.
“He’s a fierce competitor”-Aiden Markram On Kohli
A player should approach the game with the same fervor and competitive spirit that Kohli possesses, according to Proteas batsman Markram. Markram said he was an ardent competitor.
“He’s a fierce competitor. We might not always be the most skillful people, but it’s about trying to fight out, compete, have more hunger than those guys that we play against. Virat speaks to those characteristics as well,” Markram added.
“Someone doesn’t just average 50 overnight” – Keshav Maharaj on Kohli
Experienced left-arm spinner Maharaj from South Africa claims that one of the reasons Kohli has been so successful is that he understands his game inside out. Maharaj added that a batsman cannot average 50 over 100 Tests without being exceptional.
“He knows his Test cricket game. He scored runs for numerous amount of years and the amount of centuries he has got… It’s just about making sure that you can be better than him on the day. [Playing against] someone of his caliber, it’s a best way to gauge yourself in terms of where you are with your game. Someone doesn’t just average 50 overnight playing over 100 Test matches for the country,” Maharaj elaborated.
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