Vikram Rathour, Batting coach for Team India, commented that star player Virat Kohli isn’t in a stage where extensive practice is necessary. This statement came to light when Kohli, the preceding Indian captain, entered the Centurion Test after merely one substantive net training.
At the three-day intra-squad practice match held at Tuks Oval in Pretoria, 35-year-old Kohli was not in the game. He had requested time off for a private matter.
The Boxing Day Test’s first day saw Kohli perform well, scoring 38 before Kagiso Rabada delivered a brilliant swinging ball. The result? Kohli nicked the ball and was out.
Following Day 1 of the Test, Vikram Rathour commented on the batter’s actions in a post-match press conference.
“The stage of his career Virat (Kohli) is, I don’t think he needs a lot of practice. He bats a lot and trains a lot. So, if he practiced a few days less, doesn’t matter much. We saw, how well he was playing. It didn’t seem he was away from red ball cricket for six months. It’s a good sign.”
Vikram Rathour
After losing their first three wickets for 24 runs, the visitors added 68 for the fourth wicket with Shreyas Iyer (31 off 50) thanks to five fours in Kohli’s 64-ball effort.
Vikram Rathour admits batting first was tough in 1st Test against South Africa
The Centurion Test was delayed because of the rainy weather. The team batting first was not going to have an easy time with the overnight rain and the track being covered for one and a half days.
After South Africa won the toss, India was requested to bat first. Vikram Rathour acknowledged that there was a task at hand.
“It was always going to be challenging. The weather was an issue. The wicket was under cover for a day or more than that. It was always going to be challenging as batting group. We would have loved to have couple of more wickets in hand. But we have done reasonably well.
Vikram Rathour
Vikram Rathour further added:
“Post lunch, Rabada bowled an exceptional spell. We have to try and add as many runs as possible but as we have seen historically, this wicket deteriorates.”
Vikram Rathour
KL Rahul held fort for India with 70* from 105 balls, while Rabada took 5/44 for South Africa from 17 overs.