Virat Kohli’s day out in Centurion today was one that deserved documentation. His exemplary display of batting skills, application and determination helped India come back into the game.
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With India reducing the deficit to just 28 runs between the two sides, Virat Kohli and co. were pumped about taking the field again, as the pitch was beginning to deteriorate.
Jasprit Bumrah knocked over Markram and Amla with two skiddy ones, that kind of kept low, trapping both batsmen right in front.
ABD walked out at 3 for 2 and India were expectant, as one more wicket and a huge collapse could be on the cards for South Africa. But their messiah walked out, and bailed them out just like Virat Kohli had done for India yesterday(and for most parts of today).
ABD calmed things down, kept the scoreboard moving and helped Elgar, who was struggling at the beginning, settle down into his innings.
Virat and co. seemed frustrated, as they just could not find a way past the South African duo.
Rain came down and the players were forced to go off the field, but after the rain eased out, proceedings began once again, much to the frustration of Virat Kohli.
Kohli felt that the players shouldn’t have come onto the field as the outfield was too wet and the run up for the quicks wasn’t dry enough.
With the outfield being wet, the ball would lose the ability to reverse swing, something that the Indians were banking on on this brown track.
As soon as the players were brought on again, Virat Kohli complained to the umpire about the playing conditions but the umpire were having none of it, and ordered for the play to go on.
With raining coming down again, the players were once again forced off the field, and Virat Kohli rushed to the match referee, Chris Broad’s office to speak to him about the bad playing conditions.
Check out the video:
Kohli looked furious with the umpire’s decision to let the play go on and visibly flustered. Parthiv not going for a relatively regulation catch only added to his woes, with Kohli seeming to not be in control of his emotions for a large part of the last session.
With South Africa being 118 runs ahead, India would be hoping that they can knock over South Africa as early as possible, as anything in excess of 250 could prove to be a little too much on this slow and low pitch.
