Virat Kohli, a stalwart of India’s cricket team, is stepping up his training. He’s preparing for the impending Boxing Day Test. It’s against South Africa, at Centurion’s SuperSport Park. Virat Kohli came back to the Indian squad in South Africa recently. He had taken a break for a family emergency.
At 35, Virat Kohli has shown remarkable form this year. His performance with the bat won him Player of the Tournament at the World Cup. The event took place in India, just last month. This series against South Africa will mark Kohli’s return. It is his first since the World Cup final, where India fell to Australia.
With excitement, he’s preparing to apply his successful performance to the traditional red ball play. He’ll guide the less practiced Indian middle field during the two-game Test match with South Africa. Virat Kohli is already laying the foundation, recently seen improving his hitting technique in the nets for the Boxing Day Test.
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“It will be in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s minds”- Gautam Gambhir on India’s inexperienced middle-order
Recently, Former Indian lead batter, Gautam Gambhir scrutinized the Indian team’s batting lineup before their Test series with South Africa. Experienced batters such as Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane won’t be playing this tour. The competition for their positions in the squad now lies between Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer.
Gambhir suggested that established players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could potentially worry about their inexperience. However, he counseled that players should avoid overthinking. They’re better off playing according to the game’s situation and current conditions. He expressed these thoughts during a Star Sports talk.
“It will be in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s minds that Shreyas Iyer, who is on his first tour, will be batting after Virat, and KL Rahul, if he plays, will be playing as a wicketkeeper for the first time. However, I want Kohli to bat with the same intent he is known for.”
Gautam Gambhir
He added:
“I always believe there is no intent in Test cricket. You play according to the situation, conditions, and the bowler’s spell. If a bowler is in good rhythm, you see off that spell as you have an entire day to capitalize. It is not T20 that you have to take a chance even if someone is bowling well.”
Gautam Gambhir