Team India’s Test captaincy Virat Kohli is going through a rough patch with the bat. He has been failing to convert his starts to a big score and he has last smashed a century across formats way back in November 2019. However, his weakness outside the off-stump has become a well-known factor of his weakness as well.
The same thing happened in both innings of the ongoing Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Centurion. Virat Kohli hit an extremely wide delivery off Lungi Ngidi in the first innings and eventually got an edge to the slip fielder after scoring 35 as well. In the second innings, he came to bat at 54/3 and got out soon after lunch. He tried to go for a cover drive off a harmless delivery from debutant Marco Jansen but edged the ball to the wicketkeeper, Quinton de Kock.
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However, it was a big breakthrough for South Africa. Even Kohli too wasn’t happy with his dismissal as well. The 33-year-old was seen clearly disappointed as he shook his head in disbelief after getting dismissed. Meanwhile, Kohli was quite comfortable in the middle but once again failed to convert his start again and eventually failed to smash his 71st international century. With two more Tests to go, Virat Kohli will hope to score one soon as well.
Virat Kohli is not happy after watching his dismissal. pic.twitter.com/wVmJOqfF7l
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 29, 2021
Meanwhile, Indian pace bowler Mohammed Shami was applauded for his performance. Former South Africa cricketer Daryll Cullinan praised him after his five-wicket haul that saw the hosts bowled out for 197 on Day 3 of the Centurion Test, Cullinan. He also compared Shami to fast-bowling greats like Shaun Pollock and James Anderson as well.
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During a discussion on ESPN Cricinfo, the former South African cricketer added: “His seam position is perfectly up there. Just watching him bowl today reminded me of the likes of (Shaun) Pollock, (James) Anderson. They don’t seem to waste a ball. If you’re on strike, there’s constantly that subtle variation and good seam positions. It is not as if you anticipate the line and length.”
He continued: “It’s that control which may vary, sort of a foot wide in the crease. It may be a foot fuller or shorter. He finds that in between length where you never know whether you should be forward or back. He’s constantly asking you questions. You can see there’s a thought process behind everything that he is doing.”
