Indian batter Virat Kohli will be a very important factor if India harbour any hopes of winning their maiden series in South Africa. The IND vs SA Test series will kick-off at Centurion Park on December 26. The Indian fans can be hopeful of a positive outcome in the IND vs SA 1st Test, specially given Virat Kohli’s inspiring batting performance the last time he played a Test at this very ground.
In all, Kohli has two centuries against South Africa. The first come came at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg in 2013. Kohli scored 119 in a match that was drawn. The second one came at Centurion Park in 2018. Kohli played a gritty innings of 153 in a lost cause.
India faced South Africa at the Centurion Park in the 2nd Test of India’s last tour to South Africa in 2018. Virat Kohli had scored 5 and 23 respectively in the two innings of the first Test, and had an enormous pressure on his shoulders coming in to Centurion Park.
South Africa started the 2nd Test well, scoring 335 in the first innings of the 2nd Test. Kohli, who was the captain at that time, came in to bat at number four. India were 28-2 at the time and Kohli’s wicket could have provided the gateway to the Proteas bowlers to bulldoze through the Indian batting line-up. However, Kohli had other plans.
The right-hand batter looked confident right from the start and played some majestic shots through the off side to gain his confidence back. Kohli held on to his end while wickets kept falling on the other end. He was the last batter to get out, with India finishing with a score of 307. Kohli had scored half of the runs for the team, with an innings of 153 of 217 balls. However, it was not enough as India lost the match.
Kohli will be certainly reminded of the innings when he takes guard in the IND vs SA 1st Test. The innings is sure to inspire him, but he may be reminded of India’s loss in that match. If he scores a ton in Centurion Park this time and India manage to win the Test, it will be a redemption for Kohli whose heroics were unable to make his team win the last time at Centurion Park.
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