The Indian Test skipper, Virat Kohli displayed immense patience during his knock of 79 off 201 balls on the opening day of the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. The skipper was dismissed previously while trying to nudge balls at the 7th stump line, a fact which was also highlighted by Vikram Rathour, team’s batting coach, after the close of play.

Virat  Kohli’s gritty innings helped India reach a decent score of 223 in their first innings. Such was his composure that the Indian captain looked onset towards scoring his 71st international hundred, however, he failed to do so after running out of partners.

Impressed with Kohli’s display, former Indian opener, Gautam Gambhir said that the captain kept his ego in the dressing room, before adding that he waited for the poor balls instead of attacking the Proteas bowlers.

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During a chat on Star Sports, Gautam Gambhir said, “Virat has said many times that when you go to England, you should leave behind your ego in India. Today, Virat Kohli left behind his ego in the kit bag and this knock reminds me of his very successful tour of England, where he got beaten many times but left a lot of deliveries outside off-stump.”

He further elaborated, “Today, in the same way, he left deliveries outside off-stump, he got beaten as well but kept his ego with himself. He did not try to dominate the bowlers on every delivery.”

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In response to India’s first-inning total, South Africa reached 17/1 at stumps and lost the crucial wicket of captain Dean Elgar. Aiden Markram along with night-watchman Keshav Maharaj will resume South Africa’s charge on Day 2.