Virat Kohli has risen to the 9th position in the ICC Test batsmen rankings after a notable 76-run performance in the second innings of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Centurion. Kohli advanced four positions and currently holds the ninth spot as of Wednesday, January 3.
Meanwhile, India’s captain Rohit Sharma has slipped to the 14th position, falling four places. Sharma faced challenges in the first Test of the current South Africa series, posting scores of 5 and 0.
Virat Kohli holds the third position in the ICC Rankings for ODI batsmen following an outstanding performance in 2023. The right-handed batsman scored 1377 runs in 27 innings with an average of 72.47, including six centuries and eight fifties.
Virat Kohli was the sole standout performer for India in the second innings of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa
India lost the first Test against South Africa in Centurion without putting up much resistance. Having been directed to bat first on a pitch favouring seam movement, India faced early challenges.
Despite a shaky start, Virat Kohli’s 38-run contribution brought some stability. KL Rahul’s impressive innings of 101 runs played a crucial role as India managed to achieve a respectable total of 245 runs.
South Africa, however, posted 408 runs, with Dean Elgar scoring 185 and Marco Jansen contributing an unbeaten 84. India faced further batting challenges and were dismissed for a low score of 131 in the second innings.
Kohli was the sole Indian batter to surpass the 30-run mark, concluding with 76 runs. The Proteas secured a comprehensive victory by an innings and 32 runs, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
This outcome dashed India’s aspirations of achieving their first-ever Test series win on South African soil. The second and final Test of the series is scheduled to be held at Newlands in Cape Town from February 03 to 07.
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