As India contended with a rocky start in the first Test against South Africa on Boxing Day at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, Virat Kohli once again found himself shouldering the responsibility of stabilizing the innings. The team was left floundering early on at 24/3 owing to an impressive spell by debutant Nandre Burger, who sliced through the top order with unexpected ease. However, Kohli’s unwavering presence at the crease, coupled with the support of Shreyas Iyer, guided India into a safer zone by lunchtime, with the pair carving out an unbroken partnership of 67 runs.
Despite the initial steadying efforts, the post-lunch session brought discomfort as the South African pace attack, led by the relentless Kagiso Rabada, pierced through India’s middle order. Kohli’s characteristic patience was eventually bested by Rabada, who claimed his maiden five-for against India in any format, signifying a trouble-laden session for the visitors. Kohli, along with Iyer and Ashwin, succumbed in quick succession, but not before Kohli etched his name in the annals of Indian cricket history, surpassing the total runs scored by captain Rohit Sharma in the World Test Championship (WTC), solidifying his position as India’s leading run-scorer in the competition.
Mapping out the contours of India’s run accumulation in the WTC from 2019 to 2025, Kohli now proudly stands at the pinnacle with an impressive 2101 runs from 57 innings. Following him closely behind is Rohit Sharma with 2097 runs from 42 innings, and trailing them are Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, and the explosive Rishabh Pant, who round out the top five run-getters for the nation in the ongoing championship.
Furthermore, this feat has catapulted Kohli into the elite group of top run-scorers in the WTC at a global level, positioning him at the 10th spot and just shy of Sri Lanka’s captain Dimuth Karunaratne, who leads with 2160 runs. Kohli’s commendable knock, though cut short at 38 runs by the sharp-witted Rabada, laid the groundwork for a fighting total that India urgently needs amidst faltering wickets.
Rabada’s relentless pursuit of wickets continued post-Kohli, with the dismissal of Shardul Thakur, who had crafted a lively knock of 24 runs, adding to the flurry of wickets. The onus to bolster India’s innings fell on KL Rahul, known for his tenacious style, who was playing diligently at 39 runs. The quest for a partner to sustain the other end of the crease and help steer India towards a competitively defendable total, roughly around 220 runs, was palpable as they edged into the tea interval at 175/7. Understanding the gravity of such a total on this particular wicket was crucial for the team’s strategists in the pavilion and the batsmen precariously holding on at the center.
As the day proceeded, the cricket fraternity was abuzz with analysis, statistics and the on-field struggle. The remarkable trajectory of Kohli’s career, interspersed with his current ascendency in the WTC run charts, offered a glimmer of inspiration to the Indian dressing room, weighed down by an otherwise disheartening performance.
In associated news from the cricket world, as the IND vs SA match progresses, eyes will also keenly follow personal milestones and behind-the-scenes stories that contribute to the richness of this sport. This includes heartfelt messages, such as the one from Shikhar Dhawan to his son, celebrating personal triumphs amidst obstacles, like those shared by Shakib Al Hasan who played through a World Cup with a vision impairment, and looking ahead to future engagements, performances, and the stories they will bring.
As Virat Kohli resets records and the Indian team faces a challenging road ahead in the match, cricket enthusiasts worldwide stay riveted. Each session unfolds new possibilities, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the game and the undying spirit that it encompasses.
