Virat Kohli is the only Indian batsman who has proven to be a reliable performer on past tours of the Rainbow Nation, Aakash Chopra said. He believes that if India wants to win a Test series in South Africa, their batters need to perform well.
Two Test matches between India and the Proteas are scheduled, with the first one beginning on Tuesday in Centurion. Virat Kohli, who has averaged a solid 51.35 in seven Test matches in South Africa, will be the focal point of the visitors’ batting attack.
In seven Test matches in South Africa, Kohli scored 719 runs at an average of 51.35, which is higher than his career average of 49.29. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have respective averages of 15.38 and 25.60 in South African conditions, although Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer never played in a Test match there.
“Everyone else’s averages plummet when they go to South Africa”-Aakash Chopra
In a video that he posted on his YouTube account, Chopra gave a preview of the first Test and discussed India’s previous struggles at bat in South Africa, saying that only Virat Kohli was able to meet his high standards.
“You might have a question in your mind as to why we are unable to win here. According to me, the main reason is that these are the most difficult conditions for batting across the globe, where the ball seams, swings and bounces,” he stated (1:20).
The former Indian opener added that entire South African team also has a ordinary average in test cricket. So, Virat Kohli is shining bright at the moment.
“When you see this team, Virat Kohli is the only player whose average in South Africa is close to his career average. Everyone else’s averages plummet when they go to South Africa. In fact, the entire South African team also has extremely ordinary averages in Test cricket. So Virat Kohli is shining bright,” he elaborated.
“The bowling of the other team is suitable under these circumstances”-Aakash Chopra says the strain will be on India’s batsmen
The cricketer-turned-commentator said that India’s batting will be challenged more than their bowling in the test series against South Africa. He added that the conditions are good for bowling and the opposition team has not that much experience.
“I think bowling will still stand up and get counted because the conditions are good for bowling and the opposing team too does not have that much might in batting. However, batting will have to score runs because the opposing team’s bowling is good for these conditions,” he reasoned (4:25).
If India can put up a respectable total on the scoreboard, the well-known expert is upbeat about India’s chances. He added that the South African batting line-up is inexperienced.
“So they are going to challenge you. If India can score 350-400 runs, they can get close to creating history. If we look at South Africa, the batting is extremely inexperienced. They are not a team that will score 500 against your bowling attack,” he stated.
In conclusion, Chopra underlined that although he believes the Indian bowlers would perform well, the batsmen need to step up if Rohit Sharma and company are to win in South Africa.