Virat Kohli's batting performance in the South Africa v India (2018) series

[AMSS]

Kohli, Rahane and Bhuv were brilliant in this innings.
It’s not the same thing chasing a target and setting a target in these conditions.
And despite the fact that every test is important the third test hasn’t got the same value as the first two when you are 2-0 down.

Being a Pakistan fan, a team which has languished at the bottom half of test ranking table, you won't understand that this 3rd test had a LOT of value. Winning it meant India would stay the undisputed number 1 side for third year running, regardless of the outcome between aussies and saffers.

 

[Mobashir]

Being a Pakistan fan, a team which has languished at the bottom half of test ranking table, you won't understand that this 3rd test had a LOT of value. Winning it meant India would stay the undisputed number 1 side for third year running, regardless of the outcome between aussies and saffers.

Being a cricket fan I understand that winning a series in SA is more important than staying number one in the rankings.

 

[AMSS]

Being a cricket fan I understand that winning a series in SA is more important than staying number one in the rankings.

Once again, fans of dominant test teams, like India and Australia, understand that winning a series anywhere and staying number 1 in test rankings aren't mutually exclusive. It's all about the winning mindset.

 

[unitedkush]

As expected his 150 doesn't count because it was made in 'subcontinent' conditions, then why does the next best score by an Indian in that innings was only 46? This forum has told me likes of Pujara, Kohli, Rahul, Rohit are home/SC bullies. Matlab, kucch bhi logic.

 

[Mamoon]

What about him missing out in the most important innings of the series?
While chasing chasable targets.

Is it a case of him not being good in pressure situations once again?

He is one of the best pressure cricketers in the game. Arguably the best today, but no one can do it all the time. The biggest talking point is that he proved people wrong over his so-called inability to handle quality lateral movement in difficult conditions.

Undoubtedly one of the most complete batsmen the game has ever seen, and his best is yet to come.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Some posters suggest that kohlis 153 must not be counted as it was on a sub continent type of pitch. First of all it wasn't a subcontinent type of pitch at all, otherwise ashwin would have destroyed the saffers. Secondly why does smith gets applauded for scoring on Australian pattas, virats inning in second test was a splendid one conditions were not as difficult as 3rd test but the pressure of wicket falling at other end made it a brilliant innings. 150 AGAINST The likes of rabada philander lungi must be appreciated irrespective of pitch.

 

[Slog]

Overall good series for him but not great

His best innings came in the most friendly pitch but his efforts in 3rd Test are commendable

However most impressive thing is that asides from first innings of First Test he looked in control 90% of the time.

Biggest test comes in England. He already had some runs here.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

We will see the value of these runs once SA play against AUS/ PAK on similar pitches later this year. Till then let's park his performances aside.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Didn't Elgar average 40 opening the batting on these conditions? Gun batsman.

Kohli scored against Philander, Morkel, Rabada and Ngidi in SA
Amla/ Abd/ Elgar scored < Kohli against Ishant, Shami and Bumrah @ home

/topic

 

[Mobashir]

He is one of the best pressure cricketers in the game. Arguably the best today, but no one can do it all the time. The biggest talking point is that he proved people wrong over his so-called inability to handle quality lateral movement in difficult conditions.

Undoubtedly one of the most complete batsmen the game has ever seen, and his best is yet to come.

So because you consider him one of the best pressure cricketer ever he can fail in the two pressure situations of the series and so contribute in India loosing the series?

 

[The_Odd_One]

I think you are being too harsh here. SA bowling attack was top class and pitch was not easy to bat. You are not going to see anyone averaging 80 in these pitches against this SA bowling unit. Either pitch has to be easier or bowling has to be easier for that.

Single ton from either side in this series came from Kohli. You are citing Pujara in one inning and Rahane in other, but Kohli scored in both innings. How is he not a standout performer? Nothing superhuman about his performance, but surely a standout performer in this series.

I have already said that Kohli was the best batsman in the series. However, there was nothing that he did was so extra ordinary that others could not do. Even in the third tests, there were plenty of 50s. Despite his heroics, India still lost two tests due to their batting.

Did Kohli have a good series? Yes.
Did Kohli have a outstanding series? No.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Kohli is fast becoming the Sachin Tendulkar on PP. Anythng he does is hyped as the greatest thing since sliced bread and butter.

Kohli had a good series as a batsman but nothing exceptional. As a captain, this was probably his worst series. His arrogance costed India 2 tests which they should have won comfortably.

 

[Dead Ball]

Kohli is fast becoming the Sachin Tendulkar on PP. Anythng he does is hyped as the greatest thing since sliced bread and butter.

Kohli had a good series as a batsman but nothing exceptional. As a captain, this was probably his worst series. His arrogance costed India 2 tests which they should have won comfortably.

Bolded part is true.

Anything he does is downplayed by some jelly Pakistanis.

 

[Buffet]

I have already said that Kohli was the best batsman in the series. However, there was nothing that he did was so extra ordinary that others could not do. Even in the third tests, there were plenty of 50s. Despite his heroics, India still lost two tests due to their batting.

Did Kohli have a good series? Yes.
Did Kohli have a outstanding series? No.

I will classify it as outstanding series. 47 average needs to be seen in context of pitch in this series and how much others scored. I will also put anyone averaging 35+ as having a good series here.

All runs are not equal. Averaging 70 in series where it's very easy to score may be less impressive.

Kohli is no where close to SRT in the test format. SRT was gun at very young age.

 

[Bilal7]

Test Series ki baat ho rahi hai bhai
2-1 odi series win in 2013 and u still boasting abt it

Given that Pakistan remains the only team to have a series win in South Africa, I reckon I'll keep mentioning it for a while. How many ODIs will Kohli win you guys in South Africa this time? He has a gun team and the Saffers haven't been at their best, unlike in 2013 when Pakistan was missing a few key players and South Africa were at their best.

 

[Bilal7]

Kohli scored against Philander, Morkel, Rabada and Ngidi in SA
Amla/ Abd/ Elgar scored < Kohli against Ishant, Shami and Bumrah @ home

/topic

Kohli scored in far easier conditions, was dropped twice in the sole half-century he made. There was little to no variable bounce in the first innings of the match while it was crazy as the match progressed.

Kohli did very well for someone who is weak against quality pace bowling and showed that he is improving but please, don't go overboard. Amla and Elgar were the top batsmen of the last test. ABD was far better than Kohli in the first.

 

[Sin Nombre]

Smith scored a ton on a viciously turning pitch. Kohli scored his ton on a subcontinent style one. One batsman did well outside his comfort-zone while the other just did what everyone already knows he can do.

It was a very good series for Kohli and he definitely proved to me that his gameplay against the moving ball has improved. However, he still has ways to go before some of the ridiculous hype around him can be justified.

Subcontinent style pitches have spinners taking 6 of the 40 wickets and pacers taking 6/39, 4/60, 3/46 and 3/47 in one innings

Also, Smith has no issues against spin, his issues have been against the moving ball.

It is like claiming Kohli has issues against bounce and Adelaide or Perth are tough tests for him.

 

[Sin Nombre]

Given that Pakistan remains the only team to have a series win in South Africa, I reckon I'll keep mentioning it for a while. How many ODIs will Kohli win you guys in South Africa this time? He has a gun team and the Saffers haven't been at their best, unlike in 2013 when Pakistan was missing a few key players and South Africa were at their best.

Are bilateral ODI series jamodis or not?

Or is it pick and choose depending on what argument to spin?

 

[Ab Fan]

I have already said that Kohli was the best batsman in the series. However, there was nothing that he did was so extra ordinary that others could not do. Even in the third tests, there were plenty of 50s. Despite his heroics, India still lost two tests due to their batting.

Did Kohli have a good series? Yes.
Did Kohli have a outstanding series? No.

Definitely much more than just a good series. He was the best batsmen in the series in really bowler friendly conditions against a quality bowling attack.

 

[cricketworm]

Best series for him in my opinion.

Performance in Aus vs Aus was as good if not better.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team_in_Australia_in_2014–15