Virat Kohli got here into the Centurion Take a look at with just one correct internet session on Christmas eve however India batting coach Vikram Rathour categorical stated that at this stage of his profession, the previous captain would not want to coach so much. Kohli did not participate in the one three-day intra-squad observe recreation performed at Tuks Oval in Pretoria and had taken prior permission to fulfill his household in UK for a mini four-day trip. On a Centurion pitch that provided a number of bounce, Kohli regarded in good contact for his 38 earlier than Kagiso Rabada’s late away swinger squared him up as India completed the rain-hit Day-1 on 208 for eight.
“The stage of his career Virat (Kohli) is, I don’t think he needs a lot of practice,” Rathour stated after the top of opening day’s play of the primary Take a look at in opposition to South Africa right here on Tuesday.
“He bats a lot and trains a lot. So, if he practiced 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,” the previous India opener stated.
Rahul is our ‘Disaster Man’
KL Rahul has as soon as once more stood tall amid ruins and Rathour could not cease praising the senior batter.
“Rahul is turning out to be man of crisis for us. Every time, there are tough situations, he is the guy who handles it well for us. Nothing special, he was clear with his game plans, defended the right balls, attacked the right ones,” Rathour stated.
Monitor was at all times going to be difficult
Rathour reckoned that in a single day rain, drop in temperature and the observe being underneath cowl for one-and-half days added to the diploma of problem the batters confronted.
“It was always going to be challenging. The weather was an issue. The wicket was under cover for a day or more than that. It was always going to be challenging as batting group. We would have loved to have couple of more wickets in hand. But we have done reasonably well,” he defended.
“Post lunch, Rabada bowled an exceptional spell. We have to try and add as many runs as possible but as we have seen historically, this wicket deteriorates,” he reasoned.
South Africa additionally used the tactic of bowling on the ribs with a leg-slip in place, one thing that had given them a good diploma of success when the Indians got here right here in 2021-22.
“Not very often but in last series also there were 5-6 dismissals down leg side. At lunch, they bowled 65 balls down leg, if they bowled outside off, whether they would have got same success, that’s debatable,” Rathour stated.
“Because of tennis ball like spongy bounce, it was a difficult delivery to control as you saw how (Shubman) Gill got out. I feel they used it as a tactic,” he added.
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