To deploy the expression made famous by Steve Waugh when he led Australia in 2000–01, the impending Test series against South Africa represented the ‘last frontier’ for India to win. However, had Waugh failed in his attempt as India made a scintillating comeback, Virat Kohli would be hoping that his campaign would be memorable for a positive result.
South Africa’s return to international cricket after more than two decades due to the scandalous apartheid policy, following Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, marked the downfall of Nelson Mandela, in nearly three decades of playing each other.
The India captain has recently been embroiled in controversy over the captaincy of the white ball, leading to a clash with BCCI president and former captain Sourav Ganguly on the eve of the team’s departure for this tour. How this story settles remains to be seen. But Kohli can’t take the time to ponder over it. A lot is at stake for him as a batsman and captain in three Test matches.
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His long slender patches (no Test centuries in the last two years) have silenced the concerns of the Indian cricket establishment. Ever since he played Under-19 cricket, Kohli has garnered praise from fans and experts alike, and has been viewed favorably by the powers that be in Indian cricket.
In fact, ever since he became the full-time Test captain in 2015, and then in 2017 for T20s and ODIs as well, he has been projected as the ‘face’ of Indian cricket. His handwriting was very large and he could not put his foot in the wrong way. Even when he has been in controversies, such as in a brawl with head coach Anil Kumble, Kohli has not suffered.
However, his failure to win ICC tournaments, coupled with a decline in batting form, made him vulnerable enough for the BCCI to take over the white-ball captaincy and the captaincy could be extended to red-ball cricket as well, if the results are unfavourable. upcoming test series against south africa
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This must seem harsh for a prolific player who has rocked not just India, but the entire cricketing world in the last two years, barring a drought of big scores. Kohli’s dazzling skills put him at the top of batsmen great, and his captaincy record – even if he hasn’t won an ICC title – would be the envy of any Indian captain before him.
However, as Indian cricket history shows, once the BCCI becomes disillusioned with a player, the slide can quickly go downhill, only to be arrested by exceptional performances and results. This is what Kohli will have to show in this series to choke the skeptics. He must find his mojo again and start scoring runs. Big runs.
On the previous tour of South Africa, he was the leading batsman on both sides ahead of AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, playing with controlled aggression, stamping his authority and class. India failed to win that series as it had little support from others in the top order.
However, Kohli came to be recognized as the best batsman in the world for his flamboyant strokeplay and never-give-up attitude, which led to exciting battles against opponents. If he stays in that kind of form this time, then India’s chances of winning the series go up a lot. This will also elevate Kohli’s stature as a captain. He is facing the toughest test in his career so far. He has to show ability and character in batting and leadership.
Kohli will be the center of attention but he is not the only one with the Indian team under pressure. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane were under pressure due to their lack of runs, the latter even more so, due to which the Test vice-captaincy passed from them to Rohit Sharma and in his absence to KL Rahul.
Both Pujara and Rahane have left behind young batsmen in their mid-30s to make it to the Indian team. A bad series – Rahane may not even be in the playing XI for the first Test – could end the selectors’ patience. More important is the short-term impact, as India need runs, especially from their most experienced batsmen, to put South Africa to a serious test. Remember, Rohit Sharma is not easily India’s best batsman in the past few seasons, which adds to the pressure on Kohli, Pujara, Rahane and Rahul as well.
In the 2018 series, there was no meaningful consistent contribution from the top-order batsmen to back up the virtue of Kohli, which allowed South Africa to win the series despite excellent bowling by the Indians. In none of the three Tests India could cross 250. It was hardly enough to defend such a meager score and if India win a Test nonetheless, it reaps the credit of the bowlers and Kohli.
The Indian attack this time is even more experienced and in good form. Jasprit Bumrah, who made his debut in 2018, is the leading fast bowler in the world. Mohammed Shami is just a white behind. As a pair they can be fatal. Add the dynamic Mohammad Siraj who has been so impressive over the last 12 months, and India’s pace attack is far more powerful than it was in 2018.
Experienced Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav, along with Shardul Thakur, the man with the golden arm, are in the squad to give the team management several options in fast bowling. R Ashwin is the first choice in spin without Ravindra Jadeja. Perhaps that would have been the case, even if Jadeja were on tour, Ashwin has been in scintillating wicket-taking form over the years and never looked hungry for success.
The Proteas look weaker this time around – at least on paper – compared to any other game against India. Exceptional players like AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Vernon Philander who were present in 2018 have retired, Faf du Plessis no longer plays in this format. Replacing such talent is not easy.
However, South Africa’s prowess in home conditions cannot be underestimated. His batting may lack depth of experience and sheer class, but the bowling remains strong despite the injury of Enrique Nortje at the last minute. Kagiso Rabada, healthy and tall, is a skillful, penetrating fast bowler who has excellent control, picks up wickets and doesn’t concede too many runs.
In the same age group as Bumrah, both are in the race to be ranked as the best fast bowler in the world at present along with Pat Cummins. It should be an interesting fight within a fight. Rabada is supported by Lungi Ngidi, whose record in home conditions is impressive, and the tall Duane Oliver, who returns to the national team after the collapse of Kolpak, which caused many South Africans to flee for opportunities in England.
Some statistics become relevant here. India has never won a Test rubber in South Africa. In fact, it has won only three Tests on South African soil (one each on the 2006, 2011, 2018 tours), and only once (2018) has India been able to draw a series. This reflects the difficulty quotient for Indian teams that have visited that country in the past. To create history, Kohli & Co will have to overcome this mental barrier.
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