Skipper Kohli's 153-run masterclass keeps India in contest before AB de Villiers cuts loose with unbeaten half ton on Day 3
Virat Kohli celebrates his century on Day three of the second Test against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
Virat Kohli showed just why he is rated among the best batsmen of the modern era, bringing up his 21st Test century, an absolute masterclass in batting, and then pushing on to 153, keeping India in the second Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park here yesterday.
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South Africa's bowlers worked hard, and there was little lacking in terms of effort or execution, but Kohli, unlike the majority of his teammates, had answers to all the questions that came his way. His cover-driving was gorgeous and when the ball was straight, he presented the full face of the bat, driving back down the ground. His domination was so complete that even with bowlers coming at him hard, Kohli had no hesitation in either shimmying down the pitch to meet the ball or moving to off and whipping it through the leg side.
Kohli's only significant support came from R Ashwin, who, despite being hit on the hand and bounced repeatedly early in his innings, hung in there and played some pleasing shots to score 38 at No. 8. That partnership added 71 runs. If Kohli was the success story of the day, Hardik Pandya was the one who provided the most frustrating and painful moment, if you are an India fan.
Punching a ball to mid-on, Pandya casually ambled down the pitch even as Kohli repeatedly called no, and when he turned to regain his crease, he did not try to ground his bat. The throw from Vernon Philander found the mark and Pandya, who was the last real hope to build a partnership with Kohli, was gone.
Kohli was deeply annoyed with Pandya, but there was little he could do but take out his frustration on South Africa's bowlers. Even with eight men on the fence, Kohli managed to find the boundary, the shot of the day being a piercing drive that beat the long-off fielder despite being no more than 10 yards wide of him. India managed 307, reducing South Africa's lead to only 28.
Jasprit Bumrah then got stuck in, removing Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla in identical fashion. The ball was short of a good length, outside the off, slanting in sharply and did not bounce anywhere near either batsman expected. But, AB de Villiers then began the counter-attack, matching Kohli stroke for stroke. Even a break in play, when an electric storm forced the players off the field, did not break de Villiers' rhythm and he was on an even unbeaten 50 when bad light stopped play.
The Indians did themselves no favours in the field once more, Parthiv Patel and Cheteshwar Pujara looking at each other when Dean Elgar (36 not out) edged between 'keeper and slip. It was that sort of day on the field for India.
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