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Virat Kohli calls for composure ahead of 2nd Test vs South Africa
January 13, 2018
Virat Kohli said India do not need to panic as they gear up to face South Africa in the second Test of the three-match series in Centurion from Saturday.
India were blown away by South Africa’s pacers in the opening Test at Newlands. Chasing 208 for a rare victory in South Africa, the famed Indian batting line-up imploded as Vernon Philander picked up six wickets to win the man-of-the-match award.
It’s funny how things change in a matter of weeks, or just about five days. Before the first Test, no one thought that he should be in the XI, and now suddenly people are looking at the other option. For us as a team, it’s all about finding the right balance. If players fit in in the kind of balance we want to go with as a side, then they will fit in. We certainly don’t go on opinions that are created outside, and ‘talk of the town’, and all those sort of things.
Kohli went onto add that Rahane is a quality player and his inclusion in the XI will be decided before the game after the team is done with practice.
“He’s a quality player, he’s done well in South Africa. [In] all conditions, actually, away from home,” Kohli said of Rahane. “He’s probably been our most consistent and solid player away from home. I explained the reasons why Rohit [Sharma] started ahead of him. I’m not saying that Ajinkya cannot or will not start in this game. Possibilities are all open at the moment and we shall decide after practice.”
However, Kohli said India are better prepared after the reality check in Cape Town and even suggested he was open to a differenet opening combination after Shikhar Dhawan’s twin failures. The Delhi southpaw got out to poor shots in both innings and India might be tempted to give KL Rahul a chance in Centurion.
“As far as the opening combination is concerned, we are going to decide in the practice session, what we are going to go with in this game,” Kohli said and added India might even go in with a different opening combination.
“Having said that, there is definitely no need to panic as a batting unit because of collapses. Whether we play five batsmen or six, the batsmen have to apply themselves better. One needs to have a solid technique and face bowling spells. We need to embrace that,” he added.
Kohli said his batsmen were now more ready to handle the bounce. The India captain appeared calm on the eve of an important Test and said his batsmen did not need to be surprised by the bounce of the South African pitches – that is what they expected coming here.
“One must not get surprised by the bounce in South Africa. Here the bounce can be steep. One has to keep their composure. The first game gave us exposure to that. We are now better prepared to handle the conditions,” he said.
Kohli also dismissed criticism the team management copped for dropping Ajinkya Rahane for the first Test. The Indian vice-captain had a poor series against Sri Lanka at home and Rohit Sharma was preferred in Newlands.
Rohit flopped in both the innings and Rahane’s absence was felt. The latter has a better average away than at home and several experts wondered if it was a good idea to leave him out.
“It is funny,” said Kohli. “Before the last Test, everyone was saying Ajinkya Rahane should not be included in the playing XI. Now, in one week, that has changed. Everyone is saying he should be. We don’t decide playing XI as per outside opinion.”
