In the ongoing second Test between India and South Africa at Newlands Park, Virat Kohli showcased his brilliance both on and off the field. While India’s bowlers dominated, it was Kohli’s on-field antics that added a touch of joy to the competitive atmosphere. Fielding first, India’s pacers, led by Mohammed Siraj, had a remarkable outing, bundling out the Proteas for a mere 55 runs on Day 1.
Kohli, known for his animated presence, lifted the team’s spirits with his energetic leadership. During the 16th over, when Keshav Maharaj came to bat, the DJ played ‘Ram Siya Ram,’ prompting Kohli to joyfully mimic Lord Ram’s gestures, folding his arms and gesturing archery—a moment that quickly went viral.
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Mohammed Siraj was the star with the ball, delivering a career-best performance by taking six wickets for just 15 runs. His unplayable spell dismantled the South African batting lineup. Supported by Jasprit Bumrah and Mukesh Kumar, India dismissed the hosts for a paltry total.
Here is the video of the incident:
Virat kohli when DJ played Ram Siya Ram 😍 #INDvsSA #TestCricket #ViratKohli #Siraj pic.twitter.com/P2TTgSiUSt
— DhruvA Samadhiya (@DhrvA18) January 3, 2024
In response, India faced an early setback with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal for a duck. However, skipper Rohit Sharma’s aggressive innings of 39, accompanied by Shubman Gill’s 36, stabilized the innings with a 55-run partnership for the second wicket. Following Rohit’s departure, Virat Kohli assumed control and displayed good form.
Despite facing testing moments, Kohli held his nerve and showcased his batting prowess. After Kohli’s impactful innings in the previous game, where he scored 76 runs in the second innings, the Indian captain is poised to continue his stellar form. With India holding a significant first-innings lead, Kohli’s contribution becomes crucial in consolidating the advantage.
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The team failed to build on this lead as the onus was on Virat Kohli to anchor the innings and guide India to a commanding position in the series. Shreyas Iyer and the rest of the batting lineup failed to complement Kohli’s efforts for a comprehensive performance against the Proteas as India got bundled put for 153.
