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Former South African pace ace Fanie de Villiers has offered advice to the South African bowlers on how to tackle Virat Kohli as both teams gear up for a two-match Test series starting on Tuesday (December 26).
Virat Kohli’s Test legacy in South Africa
Kohli’s Test performances in South Africa have left an indelible mark, showcasing his prowess on the challenging pitches of the Rainbow Nation. The former India captain, known for his masterful batting across formats, has played seven Test games in South Africa, amassing a total of 719 runs. Notably, this includes two centuries, with his highest score being an impressive 153 in the 2018 series. Kohli’s ability to adapt to the conditions and deliver consistently has established him as a formidable force in South African Test cricket.
Kohli’s important role in the upcoming red-ball series
As India gears up for a two-match Test series against South Africa, Kohli’s return to the longest format adds a layer of experience and leadership to the team. Having opted out of the white-ball leg, the 35-year-old’s focus on the red-ball format signals his commitment to contributing significantly in the challenging Test series. His batting prowess and magnetic presence on the field will be crucial as India aim to continue its recent success on South African soil.
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Fanie de Villiers’ important insights for Proteas bowlers
Former South African cricketer De Villiers, in a recent interview to PTI, emphasized the need for a patient approach against Kohli in the upcoming Test series. Drawing parallels with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, De Villiers suggests that forcing Kohli to commit mistakes by consistently bowling in the right channels will be key for the Proteas.
“Only way to get a Virat Kohli kind of batter out is a very orthodox way of bowling on the fourth stump channel and play a waiting game. And wait for that one delivery which nips a bit far away. You can’t attack a good player,” De Villiers said.
“Like in case of Tendulkar, it was silly to always wait for leg before (to an incoming delivery). Because he would hit you through mid-wicket. So bowl those deliveries outside off-stump (to Virat) and wait for one to either nip away or nip in,” the former pacer concluded.
