Ex-Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has observed that Virat Kohli seems to be in his usual form during the ongoing Test series against South Africa. The ex-India captain Kohli is presently the leading run-scorer for India in the series. Over three innings, Kohli has amassed 160 runs, averaging over 53. He started the series with a solid 38 runs in the first innings of the first Test in Centurion and followed it up with a determined 76 runs in the second innings.
Kohli put up a strong solo effort in the second innings, but it wasn't enough to prevent India's innings defeat at the SuperSport Park. The right-handed batsman was the last one to be dismissed as South Africa secured a decisive victory over India by an innings and 32 runs within three days. In the ongoing second Test against South Africa at Newlands, Virat Kohli again led the scoring for India in the first innings. He was the sole batter to surpass the 40-run mark, contributing with 46 runs as India were dismissed for a total of 153 runs.
Manjrekar, reflecting on Kohli's impressive performance in the ongoing series against South Africa, reminisced about Kohli's 2021/22 Test tour of South Africa. He commended Kohli for his impressive comeback.
“That is Virat Kohli being Virat Kohli. And I think the last tour to South Africa Virat Kohli was not batting like Virat Kohli. But, I mean, just imagine he ended the series with the strike rate of 34 which is, you know, so there was a lot going on in his mind. In this series, he’s looked good, he looked decisive. So this is Virat Kohli being Virat Kohli, just clearer in mind,” Manjrekar said on Star Sports.
India will again pin their hopes on Kohli in the second innings as they will be chasing a target of 79 runs. Riding on a robust six-fer Jasprit Bumrah ran through the South African batting line-up to restrict them for a measly 78 runs. India will look to win the match and level the series 1-1 after losing to South Africa by an innings and 32 runs in the first Test. Notably, India are yet to win a Test series in Rainbow Nation.
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