India steamed host nation South Africa in the opening test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion to take a 1-0 lead in the three-game streak. The focus now shifts to Johannesburg, where the second Test starts on Monday. A win there and India would seal their first-ever win of the series in South Africa. The way India beat the hosts in the opening test will see them start out as favorites to take that crucial win. Ahead of the second test, coach Rahul Dravid praised test captain Virat Kohli, saying he is “an asset to himself and Indian cricket despite all the noise around him”.
“He has been an asset to himself and to Indian cricket for the past two weeks, despite all the noise that has been around him,” Dravid said at a virtual press conference before the match.
Before the start of the South Africa series, Kohli’s comments about his replacement as ODI captain and his talks with the selectors went viral, threatening to derail India’s preparations for the South Africa tour.
However, Dravid applauded Kohli for maintaining his focus and also praised him for keeping the team’s morale up.
“I know there’s been a lot of noise about other things. Being a bit out of the group even led to this particular test match. You know honestly it wasn’t very hard to keep morale up because to be honest it has led by the skipper himself,” said the former India skipper.
“I think Virat has been absolutely phenomenal in the last 20 days we’ve been here. I think the way he’s trained, the way he’s practiced, the way he’s connected with the group.”
Dravid said Kohli was “phenomenal” in the way he led the team.
“What you want to do as a coach, as a support staff, we’re really looking to prepare well and get the team in a really good space. You know Virat has been phenomenal in that, the way he’s got the team He’s definitely been a true leader. I couldn’t praise him more highly for the way he’s committed to his own preparation and practice,” said Dravid.
promoted
India has never won a test series in South Africa in their entire history, but has a golden opportunity to set the record straight.
Indian pacers were ablaze in the opening test and expectations will once again be high, with the Wanderers stadium helping fast bowlers in the past.
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