India are gearing up to face South Africa in a two-match Test series, opening with a Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Despite India never securing a Test series win in South Africa, Rohit Sharma's leadership seeks to rewrite this historical record for the world's top-ranked Test team.
Virat Kohli's return to action after a month's absence since India's World Cup final loss to Australia on November 19 is a much anticipated moment for cricket fans. Kohli's absence during India's last tour to South Africa saw a close contest, with India winning the first Test but eventually conceding the series 1-2, notably with Kohli missing the second Test due to a back injury. With the bitter memories of the World Cup final fresh, both Kohli and Team India, under Rohit Sharma's guidance, aim to make history by clinching the Test series.
In an interview with Star Sports, Virat Kohli recently highlighted the significance of Test cricket in his career and the immense satisfaction it brings.
“Test cricket to me is the foundation of the game. It's history. It's culture. It's heritage. It's everything. To come out on the other side at the end of four days, five days or whatever the test goes on, it's a different feeling from anything else that you experience. As an individual, as a team, the job satisfaction of having played a long innings for your team and making your team win a Test match is probably the most special for me.”
“Playing Test Cricket Is Everything”
“I am a traditionalist you can say, so for me 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 Tests for my country and I managed to pursue my dreams of being a Test cricketer,” Virat Kohli concluded.
Merely four days ahead of India's crucial Test series vs South Africa, Virat Kohli departed for home in Mumbai owing to a family emergency. However, he's anticipated to return to South Africa before the commencement of IND vs SA 1st Test.