In recent discussions about Indian cricket, former wicketkeeper batter Shreevats Goswami has emphasized the need for Virat Kohli’s return to Test cricket. He believes Kohli’s absence is felt deeply, especially during challenging matches like the ongoing Test series against South Africa.
Calls for Kohli’s Return to Test Cricket
Goswami expressed that Kohli should have prioritized Test cricket over One Day Internationals (ODIs) before retiring. His comments come after India struggled against South Africa in Guwahati. The team seems to miss not only Kohli’s skill as a player but also the motivating energy he provided during his captaincy. He stated on X, “Test cricket misses him. Not just as a player but just the energy he brought, the love & passion playing for India.”
India’s Struggles in the Current Test Series
India’s challenging performance resonates with their recent history; they faced an embarrassing series defeat to New Zealand last year. Currently, under captain Rishabh Pant, the Indian team is at risk of losing another home series if they do not turn things around in the second Test against South Africa.
As of Day 3, South Africa has taken control, having built a significant first innings lead of 288 runs. They ended the day at 26 without loss in their second innings, with openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram at the crease. Overall, South Africa leads by 314 runs.
Match Summary
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings (at end of Day 3) |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 489 | 26/0 |
| India | 201 |
Key Performers
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: 58 runs off 97 balls
- Washington Sundar: 48 runs off 92 balls
- Marco Jansen (South Africa): 6 wickets for 48 runs
- Simon Harmer (South Africa): 3 wickets for 64 runs
India is currently facing a batting crisis. After starting strong, they collapsed rapidly, losing several key wickets. KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Nitish Kumar Reddy contributed little to the total, putting pressure on the remaining batsmen.
This ongoing Test series has raised questions about the team’s dynamics and the influence of Kohli’s absence. As India navigates through these tough matches, the call for Kohli to return to Test cricket continues to grow.