Cricket

SA vs IND 2024: “Virat Kohli has the special ability to assess the pitch” – Sunil Gavaskar lauds talisman’s performances

Legendary Sunil Gavaskar hailed Virat Kohli’s consistent performances in the two-match Test series against South Africa. Gavaskar said Kohli has the special ability to assess the pitch and deliver for the team.

Kohli played a vital knock of 46 runs in the first innings of the second Test match and played an instrumental role in helping India take a 98-run lead. It wasn’t the easiest of pitches to bat on but Kohli adopted an aggressive approach and scored six fours and one six in his knock.

The talisman scored 172 runs in two Test matches against the Proteas at an average of 43 and finished as the second-highest run-getter of the series after Dean Elgar.

Speaking to Star Sports, Virat Kohli said, “This was a two-match series, the Test matches lasted four-and-a-half days, which means it was a series that lasted less than a Test match. However, there also Virat Kohli looked the most comfortable batter because Kohli has the special ability to assess the pitch.”

The former Indian captain added it looked like Kohli was batting on a different pitch in the first innings.

“He figures out how to play and how not to play, when to play shots and when not to play, and because of that, when he was batting, especially here (Cape Town), it seemed like it was a different pitch.”

Gavaskar added that Kohli was a league above everyone in the first essay and played at the top of his game to deliver for the team.

“The batters were struggling at the other end. They weren’t able to understand whether to go forward or back and how to play when the ball was bouncing. It didn’t seem like that at all when Virat Kohli was playing. He got out to his first mistake. It is evident when a player is of a different class.”

Meanwhile, Kohli could not deliver on the previous tour of South Africa and Gavaskar feels some technical adjustments have helped the veteran batter.

“Firstly, his head is absolutely still. Secondly, when he was in slight trouble two years ago, I felt he was doing too much initial movement. Now he is doing only a slight movement because of which a little bit of the off-stump is seen.”

“Earlier he was going outside the off-stump and because of that he was playing distant deliveries and getting out. Now his right eye is above the off-stump, so he comes to know whether to play the ball or not. That is why he is very certain outside the off-stump.”

India will next take on Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series.

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers India's prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Pro Kabbadi League, Cricket World Cup and many more. Follow DafaNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram and Youtube for more updates.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

“Never expected a very easy run” – Gautam Gambhir reflects on his tenure as coach after IND vs NZ 2024 Test series defeat

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has admitted that he never expected a very easy run… Read More

October 31, 2024

Probably has a lot to do with playing on flat wickets in T20 – Gautam Gambhir on decline of good defensive technique in Test cricket

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir feels T20 cricket has led to the downfall of a… Read More

October 31, 2024

India needs Mumbai Test win before Australia tour – Gautam Gambhir

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir feels the Rohit Sharma-led team desperately needs to win the… Read More

October 31, 2024

I cannot say just the batters have let us down – Gautam Gambhir feels everyone should take responsibility for series loss against New Zealand

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir refused to blame the batters after the team’s 2-0 series… Read More

October 31, 2024

It was insane – Bronny James after scoring his first NBA bucket

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James was on cloud nine after he managed to score… Read More

October 31, 2024

I’m happy with my team’s performance: Mohun Bagan SG head coach Jose Molina after win against Hyderabad FC

Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Jose Molina was delighted with the team’s performance after… Read More

October 31, 2024