Virat Kohli, the Indian batting maestro, etched another milestone in his illustrious career during the first Test against South Africa, but his brilliance couldn’t overshadow India’s demoralizing defeat. While Kohli became the first batter in history to score 2000+ runs in seven calendar years and surpassed Sachin Tendulkar as India’s leading run-getter against South Africa, the team ultimately succumbed to a crushing innings and 32-run loss.

Kohli’s 76-run knock of 82 deliveries was a testament to his resilience, showcasing his ability to rise above challenging circumstances. He achieved the unprecedented feat of crossing 2000 runs in seven different years, solidifying his position as one of the greatest batsmen of the contemporary era.

ALSO READ: Sunil Gavaskar Blames Lack Of Practice For India’s Centurion Debacle

Furthermore, his 29th Test match against South Africa saw him surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 1724 runs, amassing a total of 1750 runs against the Proteas. However, Kohli’s individual brilliance couldn’t mask the cracks in India’s batting lineup. The team’s top order crumbled, with openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal failing to score beyond single digits.

2012 ✅
2014 ✅
2016 ✅
2017 ✅
2018 ✅
2019 ✅
2023 ✅

Virat Kohli attains the milestone of amassing 2000 runs in a calendar year for the seventh time, the highest by any batter in the world 👏#ViratKohli #India #SAvsIND #Cricket #Tests pic.twitter.com/cRDnVLRuyT

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) December 28, 2023

Shubman Gill’s 26-run contribution offered a glimpse of hope, but it was Kohli’s valiant effort that held the innings together. The rest of the batting lineup faltered, succumbing to the relentless Proteas bowling attack, managing a mere 131 runs in the second innings.

Nandre Burger emerged as the hero for South Africa, claiming four crucial wickets, while Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada chipped in with three and two wickets, respectively. The South African bowlers exploited the fragile Indian batting, exposing their weaknesses and capitalizing on their early struggles.

ALSO READ: “We didn’t bat well in both innings” – Rohit Sharma on India’s loss to South Africa in 1st Test

Kohli’s record-breaking feat served as a beacon of hope amidst the team’s abysmal performance. However, it was ultimately overshadowed by the stark reality of India’s vulnerability and their inability to translate individual brilliance into collective victory. The Centurion collapse serves as a harsh wake-up call for the team, urging them to introspect and rectify their shortcomings before the upcoming Boxing Day Test.