Batting coach Vikram Rathour said Virat Kohli’s shot selection was better than his most recent innings, when the India captain smashed 79 on the first day of the third and final Test against South Africa in Cape Town. Kohli hit his second-slowest half-century as the captain batted in 201 balls to help India post a disappointing 223 attempts from the batting unit, especially after batting.
Speaking to the press after 11 wickets fell on the first day of the third Test at Newlands, Vikram Rathor said the team management was never concerned with Virat Kohli’s batting form, even less than the Test captain’s century. Run is more than 2 years in international cricket.
South Africa v India, 3rd Test Day 1: report , Highlight
Kohli missed his 71st international century by 21 runs as he fell while trying to accelerate after losing partners at regular intervals. Kohli, after showing incredible discipline, poked a length delivery from Kagiso Rabada, especially with a drive outside the off-stump.
Notably, the India captain failed to chase wide balls in both the innings of the first Test, but he made a conscious effort to choose better deliveries to play which became his favorite scoring shot.
Rathore said, “The way Virat was batting, he was never worried, he was batting well. As a batting coach, I was never worried that he was not batting well. “
“He was looking very good in the nets and also very good in games. He was getting starts, a nice change today was that he was more disciplined today. I agree with that, he looked really good and solid. Luckily, it could have been bigger but I am happy with the way he played today.”
Rathour said his lack of concentration led to his downfall in the first Test, but Kohli looked more calm on Tuesday in Cape Town than in recent times.
“South Africa was too disciplined for Virat initially. He was not getting many deliveries to drive and pull, that’s how he replied. He was looking really good till he got out. I mean it was a conscious one. Doesn’t matter, it was just lack of concentration in the last game when he chased a wide delivery. He played some cover drives today, he picked up the right deliveries,” he said.
India missed the opportunity to post a more competitive total on the board as Kohli was dismissed for 223 despite 79. However, he struggled with the opening wicket of Dean Elgar, the South African captain and second Test hero.
Rathour conceded that India would have liked to score higher, especially after opting to bat, but insisted that they have a bowling line-up in place to prevent South Africa from taking a decisive lead.