(Image Source: Getty)
[Saba Sports News] Virat Kohli, reflecting on India’s unsuccessful Test series in South Africa in 2021, stepped down as captain, with Rohit Sharma succeeding him. Despite Sharma’s reasonable performance, winning a Test series in South Africa remains a significant goal for India, a feat yet to be achieved. Prior to the first Test in Centurion starting December 26, Kohli expressed his profound respect for red-ball cricket.
At 35, Kohli emphasized the unparalleled significance of winning Test matches, describing it as an incomparable experience. He highlighted the intense effort players invest over four to five days, leading to immense satisfaction upon securing a victory. Kohli, valuing the game’s history and tradition, cherishes playing Test cricket, expressing pride in his 100-plus Test appearances for India.
“Test cricket to me is the foundation of the game – its history, its culture, its heritage, it’s everything. To come out of the other side at the end of four days, five days – whatever the Test goes on, it’s a different feeling to anything else you experience as an individual, as a team. The job satisfaction of having played a long innings for your team. Making your team win a Test match is probably the most special for me.” “I am a traditionalist, you can say. So, playing in whites, playing Test cricket is everything. That’s what I have grown up on, and I am really honoured that I have been able to play more than 100 Test matches for my country,” Kohli shared.
Rohit Sharma, now at the helm, faces the challenge of leading India in the two-match series against South Africa. The 36-year-old captain stressed the demanding nature of Test cricket, where consistent top performance over five days is crucial. Sharma views Test cricket as the ultimate examination of one’s abilities as a cricketer and sportsman.