Virat Kohli is known for his aggressive style in the cricketing circles. He is never short of a barb or two at the opposition. Kohli was in top gear with his sledging on the first Day of the Second Test.
After losing the First Test, the newly married Captain was really pumped up. The South African batsmen were in his firing line. The stump microphone proved to be the best commentator as Kohli's digs made for superb entertainment. Here is a look at five such instances that were on exhibition in Centurion.
‘Two Errors Skipper’
With South Africa 182/2 at Tea on Day 1, the hosts were in a commanding position. But the momentum rapidly shifted in India's favour due to stingy spells by the Indian bowlers and some reckless running between the wickets by the Proteas.
Captain Faf du Plessis was involved in both the run-outs, of Hashim Amla and Vernon Philander. It was his call that led to the downfall of Amla. In Philander's case, the all-rounder got out due to his own error in judgement.
However, Kohli made it known to his counterpart that both the dismissals were affected due to du Plessis. He said, "Two errors in judgement skipper."
‘You Call People a Cheat’
Kohli was furious about Dean Elgar’s alleged remark in which he had called Rohit a cheat. He kept repeating, "You call people a cheat, you called Rohit a cheat." However, Elgar did not react to it and kept going about his business.
In the second innings of the First Test, Rohit had taken a brilliant low catch at gully to dismiss Hashim Amla off the bowling of Shami. Kohli clearly did not like Elgar’s take on it as he kept having a go at the left hander.
‘Look at Him’
When Elgar missed Ashwin’s flighted delivery in an attempt to play an expansive drive, Kohli quipped, “Look at him”. He also mocked Elgar’s inelegant style of shot making. Captain courageous did not soften after his initial scoffs and kept coming with one-liners, one after another.
Later, Hardik Pandya also joined his skipper in the act. He too, took a jibe at the opener a couple of times in his follow through. However, all this did not faze Elgar as he remained unbeaten at Lunch. He was finally dismissed by Ashwin in a peculiar manner on 31 just after Lunch.
‘One Mistake and You Are Out of Here’
When Keshav Maharaj came out to bat, Team India was riding high on momentum. Captain Kohli was in the middle of an adrenaline rush. The Proteas were six down and India would have loved a wicket or two before the close of play.
Kohli kept shouting, "no six and seven lads, six wickets in one session boys". When the over ended, he went close to Maharaj and said, " Come on Keshav, one mistake and you are out of here." The spinner bowed his head and moved to the other end.
‘Senior Batsman’
Kohli got stuck into the opening batsman Dean Elgar who struggled to get going in the opening session. Runs were very hard to come by due to the tight lines of the Indian bowlers. As a result, Elgar went into his shell with a strike rate of 30 and thereabout. The Indian captain did not miss the opportunity and taunted Elgar for his low scoring rate. He even offered to give ‘the senior batsman’ a ‘single’ to help him score.
Elgar has been out of sorts in the current series. He has only managed scores of 31, 25 and 0 in his last three innings.
(The observations of the author were made in an individual capacity. The Quint cannot vouch for the same)