India Tour of South Africa – Mission South Africa – During Virat Kohli’s tenure, India won in Australia and are leading in England apart from winning all home Test series. While India are yet to win in New Zealand, it is their loss in South Africa that haunted him for months. India were in a good position in most of the matches but the 4-1 result in South Africa’s favour meant, the rainbow nation will be Kohli’s next biggest challenge. Follow India vs South Africa on Inside
But this is not the same Team India. Virat Kohli & Co are a confident unit having won in Australia and a 2-1 lead in England. In Mumbai, without their star players, they avenged their World Test Championship Final loss against the Kiwis. Kohli has already set his next target — South Africa.
“South Africa is a good challenge. We built it up in England and South Africa last time, and Australia was an accumulation of all that experience. South Africa is a tough challenge and a win that we want to achieve as a team,” Virat Kohli said.
India Tour of South Africa: WTC Final loss avenged, Virat Kohli sets sights on BIGGEST challenge in South Africa
India Tour of South Africa: WTC Final loss avenged, Virat Kohli sets sights on BIGGEST challenge in South Africa
India Test series records under Virat Kohli
In Australia: Won 2 series, lost 1
In New Zealand: Lost both series
In South Africa: Lost 1 series
In England: Lost 1 series, leading the other 2-1
In West Indies: Won both series
India Tour of South Africa: WTC Final loss avenged, Virat Kohli sets sights on BIGGEST challenge in South Africa
The two places, where India haven’t managed to win Test series — New Zealand and South Africa — are the two final frontiers for captain Kohli. But with the young bunch including Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer picking up the mantle, Kohli is confident of another Test series win abroad.
“Players coming back will be a good headache to have ahead of a series in South Africa. Mayank has shown great applications, showed great resilience and character. He is an asset. Mohd Siraj is a boost for the team especially in challenging situations. He has come a long way. We need to have lengthy discussions for specialists at different positions, especially regarding Gill, Iyer. We will come with a collective decision,” Kohli said.
India Tour of South Africa: WTC Final loss avenged, Virat Kohli sets eyes on BIGGEST challenge in South Africa
Mayank Agarwal‘s heroics with the bat and Jayant Yadav’s four-wicket haul in the second innings helped India defeat New Zealand by 372 runs in the second Test of the two-match series here at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.
CHAMPIONS 👏👏
This is #TeamIndia‘s 14th consecutive Test series win at home.#INDvNZ @Paytm pic.twitter.com/FtKIKVCzt8
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 6, 2021
India Tour of South Africa: WTC Final loss avenged, Virat Kohli sets sights on BIGGEST challenge in South Africa
With this win, India sealed the two-match series 1-0 and now Virat Kohli’s side will head to South Africa for three Tests and three ODIs, beginning December 26.
“Here there was more bounce and the fast bowlers got assistance as well, so it gave us a better chance to win the Test match on the final day. The mindset is the same to take Indian cricket forward, even with the new management. It’s important to keep the standards of Indian cricket and make sure it’s always growing,” Virat Kohli said.
