Team India’s Test captain Virat Kohli will be highly disappointed himself after failing to convert the start in the first Test against South Africa on Boxing Day at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. Kohli scored 35 runs during his 94-ball vigil as India dominated day 1 of the 1st Test.

Kohli threw his wicket chasing a wayward delivery off Lungi Ngidi and gave an easy catch to Wiaan Mulder stationed at first slip. Reacting to Virat Kohli’s dismissal, India’s former batting coach Sanjay Bangar said the prolific batter needs to develop a ‘response of the back foot’ and not be preoccupied to playing on the front foot.

Speaking on Star Sports, Bangar said:

“(It) could well be a mental error in the execution part at least as far as him going after that wide half-volley is concerned.”

The former all-rounder added:

“But for me, he relies on driving the ball. Against quicker attacks on seaming pitches, you require one more game. You can’t only rely on the front foot shots. If he only relies on that particular shot, the bowlers will continue to drag him wider and wider and hope they find the outside edge.”

Sanjay Bangar further added that Virat Kohli needs to develop a response on the back foot to find success on these wickets.

“It will be worth it if Virat Kohli can give a thought of developing some sort of a response of the back foot as well. Otherwise, he just seems to be preoccupied with scoring runs off the front foot,” Bangar concluded. 

Advantage India at the end of day 1

Meanwhile, riding on KL Rahul’s brilliant century, India posted 273/3 at the end of day 1. Ajinkya Rahane, who was under the scanner ahead of the Centurion Test, looked like a man with a purpose and will hope to convert the start into a big century.

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