Cape Town, Jan 12: India batting coach Vikram Rathour heaped praises on Virat Kohli, calling him “phenomenal” after the skipper’s knock sparkled in the team’s total against South Africa.
Kohli scored 79 off 201 balls before Kagiso Rabada got the better of him. The India captain’s batting had patience as well as determination on Day 1 of the third and series-deciding Test here at Newlands on Tuesday.
Although the 33-year-old was running out of partners, he continued to take on the South African attack before he feathered one behind.
“Virat was phenomenal. There was never a concern with the way Kohli was batting. He was looking very good in the nets,” remarked Rathour in the virtual press conference.
“Yes, there were conversations around going after wider deliveries but Virat responded well to how South Africa bowled today,” he added.
Apart from Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara (43), no other Indian batter could make an impact as India folded on 223.
The batting coach had no qualms in accepting that the visitors were below par.
“We were below par today. Should have scored 50-60 runs more. South Africa were terrific with the ball,” Rathour signed off.
With just over half an hour left in the day, South Africa openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram found themselves in a tricky period. Jasprit Bumrah, who made his Test debut at the venue in 2018, got an early breakthrough.
The fast bowler got the big wicket of South Africa captain Elgar (3), who was squared up completely and edged it to first slip. Markram (8 not out) and Keshav Maharaj (6 not out) saw off the day, with South Africa 17/1 at stumps.
