"Fourth Stump Channel And...": To Dismiss Virat Kohli In Tests, South Africa Great Prescribes This To Home Pacers

24.12.2023 - 08:23 sports.ndtv.com

When it comes to tackling the peerless Virat Kohli, Fannie De Villiers wants the South African team to play the waiting game in the upcoming Test series.

The former South Africa pacer told PTI: "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." He cited Tendulkar's example to drive home his point. "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." De Villiers' international career ended in 1998, at least a decade before the T20 revolution took the cricket universe by storm and when asked if he would have got a multi-million dollar deal like Pat Cummins or Mitchell Starc, he stared laughing. "I started bowling slow bouncers back in late 1980s in local cricket but thought it might be dangerous to do it in international cricket...

cricket South Africa Cricket Team India Cricket Team South Africa vs India Pat Cummins Mitchell Starc Virat Kohli South Africa India

Their eyes trained on the big-ticket T20 World Cup in the Americas in June, the national selectors aren't finding it easy to pick just one among Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the upcoming Afghanistan series. As of now, there are chances that both the stalwarts will be kept in the squad but possibly with a rider that form during the IPL will be the main parameter for selection in the T20 World Cup team. Another round of discussions could take place, and it could be the BCCI bigwigs taking the final call. Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar had flown into South Africa during the second Test to talk to the two veterans, and both have made themselves available. (India Squad vs Afghanistan Live Updates)

India vs South Africa: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's DRS Discussion In Second Test Has Internet In Splits For 'Wrong' Language

With just one wicket to go and three reviews remaining, the Indian cricket team decided to make use of their resources, although knowing that the result was unlikely to come in their favour. Mohammed Siraj hit South Africa's Nandre Burger high on the right right, on Day 2 of the second Test at Cape Town, but the umpire had little interest in rewarding Team India's appeal. However, realising that India have three DRS calls to spare, Rohit contemplated going for a review, after a brief discussion with teammates, but eventually decided against taking it.

India Lose World No 1 Spot In Tests Despite South Africa Test Win. Top Team Is...

Despite a seven-wicket win at Cape Town to draw their two-match series in South Africa, India were toppled from the top spot in ICC Test rankings by Australia on Friday. Australia's impressive effort to take an unassailable 2-0 lead over Pakistan at home in the on-going three-match series has helped them move up in the rankings. The third match of that rubber is currently underway in Sydney. “Australia's impressive run at home against Pakistan helped them take the crown of the No. 1 Test team once again, having last held the spot briefly following their WTC Final victory,” the ICC stated in a release. In the previous update, India had more points in their kitty despite being tied with Australia at 118 rating points each.

Watch: Virat Kohli Helps Mohammed Siraj Dismiss Marco Jansen With A Perfect Plan

Virat Kohli is among the cricketers who enter the ground with terrific energy, doesn't matter what the role they are playing. While Kohli is one of the greats in batting, his fielding is neither less. From taking sharp and tough catches to effecting some crucial saves and run-outs, one can find Kohli deployed in all those works. But how about suggesting a bowler and helping him get a result out of it? It is not a never-seen-before sight but definitely a rare one.

Watch: Virat Kohli Uses 'Bail-Swap' Mindgame Again, This Happens Next

During the India vs South Africa second Test match at Newlands in Cape Town, Virat Kohli was once again seen using his 'bail-swap' move. Ahead of Stumps on Day 1, Aiden Markram seemingly tried to waste some time to avoid another over. This is when Kohli got near the stumps and swapped the bails. Kohli playfully switching the bails during fielding is not new. The player had done this during the first Test against South Africa in Centurion too. However, unlike last time where Kohli's move saw India getting a wicket in the same over, it failed to provide the guests breakthrough as Markram comfortably defended the last ball.

Watch: South Africa Pacer Tries To Scare Virat Kohli. Sunil Gavaskar's Reaction Is Gold

It will be a day which will etched in the history of Indian cricket forever. Dismissing a team for a double digit figure is a big feat, and India did it in emphatic fashion against South Africa on Day 1 of the second Test. A career-best six-wicket haul from Mohammed Siraj helped India dismiss South Africa for a lowly 55 before the visitors were dismissed for 153.