Virat Kohli came into the IND vs SA 1st Test with just a solitary net session a day before the match. The reason? He had prior commitments. In all, the Indian superstar batter had about five sessions of practice over a month before the match. And despite a promising start, Kohli could only score 38 runs, stretching his poor run of form in SENA countries in the last three years. However, India batting coach Vikram Rathour has backed Virat Kohli despite his flop show.
Vikram Rathour claimed that at this stage, Virat Kohli does not need a lot of practice.
“The stage of his career Virat Kohli is, I don’t think he needs a lot of practice,” Vikram Rathour said after the end of Day 1 play.
In Virat Kohli’s defence, he did have a bright start. With India reeling at 24/3, he stitched a crucial 68-run stand with Shreyas Iyer. He negotiated the pace and bounce with caution and hit a few boundaries with authority. But a Kagiso Rabada in-swinger forced Kohli to edge it to the keeper and the promising start went in vain.
”He bats a lot and trains a lot. So, if he practised 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 explained further.
As for Day 1, India finished with 208/8 with only 59 overs possible due to rain. KL Rahul led the way with an unbeaten 70-run knock.
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