In the last five Test series, India have not managed to win the first Test even once, losing three and drawing two. Since 2000, South Africa have lost eight series at home, of which seven have come when the visiting team has won the first Test. For India to win their first-ever series in South Africa, the role of Virat Kohli as a batter could be more crucial than as a captain, especially in the absence of their in-form player Rohit Sharma. Kohli has an average of 55.8 in 10 innings in South Africa, with two centuries to his name. In this piece, through stats, we analyze his importance, especially in the first Test match, given how it can create momentum for the team.
First match of the tour
Kohli averages 49 in the first match of an away series, and half of his away hundreds (7/14) have been scored on the first match of the tour, and he can set a good example for the rest of the batters. Even this time around, it will be important for him to get a good score on the board as the average of the other Indian batters in the first match of a tour is not promising.
Form of other batters
India’s only batter to average more than 40 away from home this year, Sharma, will be not available due to injury and the onus will be on Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul to give the right start to the team. Agarwal is touring South Africa for the first time, and Rahul has scored just 30 runs in four innings in South Africa. Cheteshwar Pujara has not been in the best of form but still has played the most balls away from home (1434) for India in 2021. It will also be the first time that Rishabh Pant will be playing in South Africa, and high chances of either Shreyas Iyer or Hanuma Vihari getting their first opportunity in those conditions.
Venue wise challenges
The first match is at the SuperSport Park, Centurion, where South Africa have lost only two Test matches out of 26, and India have lost both their matches. Kohli has a century at this ground and averages 79. The average opening partnership for a visiting team is 21.32, followed by 23 for the second wicket. Statistically, there are chances that Kohli will be on the field with the score being 44-2.
The second Test will be played at the Wanderers Stadium, where Kohli averages 77.5, just a tad less than his average at SuperSport Park. With three fifty-plus scores in four innings at the ground, Indian fans will hope Kohli can score high even here. The Indian batting lineup has seen collapses in the recent past. India rea unbeaten at this ground, winning two and three draws. South Africa, on the other hand, have a win/loss ratio of only 1.3 at this ground, which is not good for a home team.
Newlands Cricket Ground will host the third Test, and Kohli would want to improve his stats there and maybe play a match-winning/series-winning knock to round off the Test tour on a high note.
Lowest score at the fall of 2nd wicket, best win/loss ratio for South Africa, and Kohli’s highest average through all the stats. Add the struggle of the Indian batters in the first match of an away tour, a Kohli special is necessary for India at SuperSport Park.
Conclusion
Overall, the Indian batting lineup will be a combination of players with very little experience in these conditions and a few stalwarts who are currently struggling to find their best form. Kohli’s stats in South Africa can be a source of motivation for him and his team.
Indian bowlers did pick up all 20 wickets in the three Tests on the last tour, but the batters failed to contribute. India averaged 206 runs per innings with the bat and could cross the 250-run mark only once. It was Kohli’s 153 that helped India post 307 in the first innings of the second Test.
The stage is completely set for Kohli with good stats in South Africa, and an opportunity to lead India to a Test series victory in South Africa for the first time. The 71st century has been long coming, and it could be the perfect moment to do so and silence all the unnecessary noise.