Indian captain Virat Kohli stood firm against a relentless South African bowling attack on an attritional second day of the second Test at SuperSport Park on Sunday.
Kohli made 85 not out as India reached 183 for five at the close in reply to South Africa’s first-innings total of 335.
Here, we look at three things learned from the second day’s play in Centurion.
KOHLI FINDS HIS TOUCH BUT ROHIT’S TECHNIQUE EXPOSED
There is a reason why Virat Kohli is considered one the best batsmen in the world. He nicked one behind in the first innings of the first Test but instead of going into his shell, he looked to be more positive. His made 28 in the second outing at Newlands and then cracked 85 to keep Indian in the match in Centurion. The South Africans attacked his pads but Kohli showed fine control to avoid the trap.
In contrast, Rohit’s three dismissals so far have exposed his technique. In the first Test, he was trapped in front by a quick Kagiso Rabada in-dipper and then inside-edged Vernon Philander in the second innings. In Centurion, Rabada again pinned him on the crease. The Mumbai batsman has now been dismissed lbw seven times in 42 Test innings and bowled nine times. Not good for someone who kept a technically correct batsman like Ajinkya Rahane out of the team.
South Africa looked to have set up Rohit Sharma for the lbw. And that is worrisome.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 14, 2018
LUNGI NGIDI IS THE REAL DEAL.
South Africa have a proud tradition of producing world-class fast bowlers and they unleashed another in the second Test in the form of Lungi Ngidi. The 21-year-old was deemed ready for the toughest format having played just nine first-class games and three T20 internationals. The right-arm quick was clocked at 150kmph, adding another lethal dimension to South Africa’s wholesome attack. His first Test wicket was just reward for a tough day in the office, getting one to move away from round the wicket to catch Parthiv Patel’s outside edge. If Dale Steyn does regain his fitness, the Proteas have an almighty selection headache.
Lungi Ngidi is the real deal. Pace like fire and so much awareness for someone so young. @OfficialCSA obviously doing something very right with their fast bowler development program. #SAvIND
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) January 14, 2018
SPINNERS HAVE A BIG ROLE TO PLAY
The pitch is devoid of any live grass and after just two days under the sun, has started to break up. First Ashwin and then Keshav Maharaj got the ball to turn square. In fact, left-arm spinner Maharaj’s deliveries that landed in the footholes disturbed the surface which means spinners in both sides will bowl a bulk of the overs. Whatever the result, the South Africans will be unhappy with the nature of the surface. If India somehow manage to get close to the South African total, Ashwin will make life difficult for a South African line-up full of left-handed batsmen.
South Africa today opened the bowling with Keshav Maharaj. First time in 105 years that the spinner has bowled South Africa’s first over of the Test. Last: Aubrey Faulkner in 1912. #RSAvInd
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 14, 2018
