Virat Kohli enjoys on-field competitions, and it often boosts his performance, especially in batting. In the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town, Kohli gave a serious look to bowler Nandre Burger, who was attempting to unsettle him with the ball.
The event occurred in the 15th over of India’s first innings. Burger delivered a full-length ball on the middle stump, and Kohli defended it on the front foot. The bowler appeared charged up, shaping the ball to throw it back to the batsman.
Kohli, with a smile, stared at him, while the crowd cheered in celebration. The incident occurred with the initial delivery faced by Kohli following Burger’s dismissal of Indian captain Rohit Sharma. You can watch the video here:
https://x.com/appreciatorog/status/1742515786244399183?s=46
For those unfamiliar, Nandre Burger had an outstanding performance with the ball on his Test debut for South Africa, securing seven wickets as the hosts achieved an innings and 32-run victory over India. The left-arm pacer has already dismissed Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer in the current match.
Conversely, Virat Kohli holds a strong track record against South Africa in Tests. He has accumulated 833 runs in eight Tests, maintaining an average of 52.06, including two centuries and four half-centuries against the South African team.
In the first Test in Centurion, the right-handed batsman scored 38 and 76 in his two innings. Kohli remained unbeaten on 20* as India reached 111/4 at tea, holding a lead of 56 runs in the first innings.
“He wants the sledge if you know him” – South Africa legend views on Virat Kohli
Former South African cricketer Makhaya Ntini has cautioned Proteas’ bowlers against engaging in sledging with Virat Kohli. The 46-year-old conveyed this advice to Revsportz earlier this year:
“Don’t sledge Virat Kohli. Any bowler who sledges him will have to pay the price. If you don’t sledge and just let him be, he could get bored and make a mistake.”
“I will tell every South African bowler who will bowl to him,” he continued. “Don’t say a word to him when he is batting. I repeat, don’t sledge him by saying anything to him. If you do so you are actually playing into his hands.”
“He wants the sledge if you know him. He wants the combat and loves such things. If you do so, you are actually giving in to what he wants and it will only make him that much more determined and he will make you pay. Rather, just keep silent against him.”
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.