The Indian cricket team will be on the South Africa bound flight in a few weeks time. Virat Kohli’s team India is currently hosting the Sri Lankan team in India and the skipper has made it clear that this series is their preparation pad for the South African series. Virat Kohli’s team India is currently number 1 in Tests and One Day Internationals. But our prime focus in this piece will be how Day 1 of the 3rd Test at Feroz Shah Kotla help team India for the South African series.
Day 1 in a nutshell:
India won the toss and opted to bat first. At the close of stumps, India is 371 for 4. Virat Kohli is unbeaten on 156 and Vijay scored 155. Rahane failed again, he scored a solitary run. Dhawan, Pujara got starts but could not convert it into something massive like Vijay, Kohli.
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3 Takeaways:
Virat Kohli’s PURPLE PATCH: The Indian captain has made it a good habit of scoring hundreds after hundreds. He has now got 3 in his last three Test innings. All the 3 centuries were eclipsed in difficult conditions. Let’s say green tops. Green tops are also something the Indian team can expect in South Africa. That means Virat Kohli’s ominous form will help team India. Kohli is currently unbeaten on 156 and will be going for another double ton. What a habit to have!
The run machine continues. Three consecutive 100s for @imVkohli #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/sevr4oLuid
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 2, 2017
Vijay cements spot: Murali Vijay, who made a comeback in the 2nd Test versus Sri Lanka, has hit form straight away. He brought up his 10th Test century in the 2nd Test at Nagpur and again carried good form in the Delhi Test, where he got 155. Now, these are daddy hundreds! Vijay has for now put the opening conundrum to rest. Vijay also has the temperament and technique to cope with South African conditions.
Two consecutive centuries for @mvj888. This is his 11th Test #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/7igFLIW8ks
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 2, 2017
Virat-Rohit shining: He got his Test opportunity after 500 days and made it count in the Nagpur Test, where he got a century and announced his return. With Ajinkya Rahane not in good form, this is the big chance for Rohit to cement his spot in the whites. He is currently unbeaten on 6 but has his captain at the other end for the company and that will certainly help the Mumbaikar on Day 2. The more Rohit bats with Kohli, he will develop as a Test cricketer and will keep him in the right frame of mind, come South Africa.
