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In Johannesburg, Nehra discussed the impact of Kohli’s absence on India.
Nehra thought that India was missing the batsman Virat Kohli.
Kohli was unable to play in the second Test because of a back spasm.
SA vs. IND: While many feel that Kohli’s participation would have made a significant difference to the outcome of the game, ex-India bowler Ashish Nehra disagrees.
First-Test win: South Africa beat India by seven wickets at Wanderers in Johannesburg on Thursday, the second of a three-match series After India had won the first game in Centurion, the Proteas were able to tie the series at 1-1 with this victory. For Team India, there has been a lot of talk over the absence of usual skipper Virat Kohli, who had an upper back spasm and was unable to play in Johannesburg.
Ashish Nehra, the former India pacer, suggested that the 33-year-old Kohli’s presence wouldn’t have had a significant impact on the outcome of the match. However, he went on to say that India had been missing “Virat Kohli the batter” tremendously.
“You miss Virat Kohli if the result doesn’t go your way when you talk about him. Virat Kohli, the Indian batsman, was much missed by me. But I won’t claim that the team’s level of intensity was diminished since he never lets up. Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah could be heard chirping incessantly. It is not true that if Kohli had participated in this (Johannesburg) match, India would’ve won. Nevertheless “Cricbuzz quoted Nehra as saying.
Nehra cited the 2020 Adelaide Test, in which India was knocked out for 36 and Kohli played, as evidence to support his assertion.
Ajinkya Rahane’s century as a stand-in skipper helped India to victory in Melbourne, according to the 42-year-old.
“Virat Kohli was present when India was knocked out for 36 in the Adelaide Test (against Australia). In the following game, Rahane hit a century and India won the game and the series, but Kohli was nowhere to be found “she said.
While India has yet to win an away Test series against South Africa, they are confident that they can win the third and final Test, which begins on January 11 in Cape Town.
Kohli will be back for the last match of the series at Newlands next week.
