Former cricketer Wasim Jaffer has told that Indian skipper Virat Kohli would be disappointed with the approach of his dismissal on Day 1 of the final Day Test against South Africa. As per the Jaffer, Kohli is not bad but fails to convert his great start.
India dominated the start day of the Test series against South Africa, reaching 272 for three at stumps. KL Rahul secured an unbeaten century. Caption Kohli also looked in impressive rhythm until he hurled his wicket away on 35, flashing at a Lungi Ngidi delivery away from the off-stump.
Reviewing Kohli’s innings on Day 1 of the Centurion Test, Jaffer answered on ESPN Cricinfo:
“Kohli was playing beautifully. But that has been the case with Virat for such a long time. He bats beautifully till he gets out and that is something that is disappointing. What happens to great players. There comes a time when they go through a bad patch. But it doesn’t look like a bad patch because he bats so beautifully till he gets out. He will feel like he missed an opportunity.”
Ngidi has his third ☝️
It's a big one as Virat Kohli is gone for 35!
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As per the former South African batter Daryll Cullinan, Kohli seems to be fighting an inner battle regarding his immersion and the hunger to be successful. Cullinan believed:
“Bit of anxiety plays a role. Are you hungry enough? Are you in that mindset? He looked a bit apprehensive. He wasn’t the Virat that I have seen in the past. At the start of his innings, he is busy. It is almost like he sets his stall there. He wasn’t in that sort of mode. There must be internal battles. Only he will know what it takes to get back into run-scoring mode. But the question is whether the desire is still strong enough.”
Kohli is still searching for his first international hundred since November 2019. In 2020, the Indian captain secured 634 runs in fourteen Tests, including the ongoing encounter in Centurion, at an average of under 27 and a best of 74.
Also read:- “You can’t just trust on a Kohli or a Pujara” – Rahul Dravid