Virat Kohli Not Avoiding Media, Will Attend Pressers Before His 100th Test: Rahul Dravid Ahead Of Ind vs SA 2nd Test
Head Coach Rahul Dravid asserted that it is just a matter of time for India's middle order batters like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara before they start scoring runs.
New Delhi: Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team is all set to lock horns with hosts South Africa in India-South Africa 2nd Test of the three-match Test series, starting on Monday in Johannesburg. If India pulls off a win in the 2nd Test, they will become the first-ever Indian side to get a Test series win in South Africa. The visitors currently have a 1-0 lead in the series after an empathic 113-run win over Proteas in the series opener.
Virat Kohli, who is just one Test win away from a historic achievement, has been dealing with poor batting form for some time now. He ended year 2021 without scoring any ton in international cricket. Similarly, in 2020 also Virat had failed to score a century in international cricket. Last time, Virat scored an international ton was in 2019 against Bangladesh at Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens.
"In keeping the morale high in South Africa it has not been difficult as it has been led the skipper himself. Virat Kohli has been phenomenal over the last 20 days, the way he has trained he has practiced," said Dravid on the eve of the second Test against South Africa.
"I couldn't speak highly of him the way he is committed to his own preparation. And also with the way he has connected himself with the group on and off the field. Even though he batted and couldn't convert those starts I really feel there will be a big run of scores once he clicks in," he added.
Head Coach Rahul Dravid on Virat Kohli not coming in front of media
Virat Kohli has not appeared in front of the media ever since his sensational presser on "captaincy controversy".
Usually a captain addresses the press on the eve of Test matches but Virat Kohli did not come in front of the media for the pre-match press conference ahead of both 1st and 2nd Ind vs SA Test.
"There is nothing like that. He is playing his 100th Test match. Media manager decides all these things. He wants to come in front of the media just before his 100th Test match. Hope you all make it a momentous occasion," ex-India player clarified.
Dravid also asserted that it is just a matter of time for India's middle order batters like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara before they start scoring runs.
"There are a variety of factors that happens. There are phases in your career where you probably are batting well but big scores are not coming. And it happens with everyone, but the good point is that they seem to be batting really well so they are getting the starts," said Dravid.
"They know how to convert it's not that these guys don't know how to score big runs. So it's just a matter of time, I am really hoping we will see some really good performance in coming days," he added.
Not Thing Much About The Weather, Says Coach Dravid
"Weather is good last few days. Pitch looks good. Typical Wanderers wicket and must be something there for the bowlers. Batting may be difficult towards the end. There's a storm prediction but we are not thinking to much about it and focussing on the task at hand," Rahul said.
Rahul Dravid opens up on slow over-rate point penalties handed to India
"It's hard. We are playing with four seamers. It's disappointed that we lost one point due to slow over rate. In overseas points are difficult to achieve. We have to improve on this area and get better," Rahul Dravid told reporters.
Rahul Dravid assures Team India has not lost focus despite win in Ind vs SA 1st Test
"We are conscious about the fact in the past we have slipped after winning a match. Boys are well aware of this fact and they have discussed about this as well. It makes easier when for a coach when the boys discuss it at the dressing room.
"Don't know why but for some reason we have always done well at the Wanderers. May be because of familiarity with the city, may be because of the pitch.
"In 90's we came close to win a Test match. Rain denied us, I can still remember that match. We didn't have so much depth in the bowling then what we have now. When I came here as a captain in 2006 and won the test match that was a good memory as well," said coach Dravid.
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