Virat Kohli, who has been granted a well-deserved break from the limited-overs segment of the comprehensive South Africa tour, was captured on video as he departed from Mumbai for South Africa, causing a frenzy on social media. The footage showcased the right-handed maestro obliging a fan’s request for a selfie before making his way into the airport, ready to embark on the journey to the rainbow nation.
Kohli’s break comes after his remarkable performance in the 2023 World Cup, where he showcased his exceptional skills in every match. The upcoming two red-ball games contribute to the World Test Championship (WTC) points, and with India aiming for their first-ever series victory on South African soil, the selectors have assembled a formidable squad, including the return of Rohit Sharma as captain.
Meanwhile, Kohli stands alone in the current batting line-up as the only player with an average of over 50 in Tests played in South Africa. Since his debut in the rainbow nation in 2013, Kohli has amassed an impressive 719 runs in 7 matches, boasting an average of 51.36.
Former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis expressed his belief that Virat Kohli will be determined to make a significant impact with the bat in the upcoming series. Kallis believes that India’s prospects of clinching their first-ever Test series victory in South Africa will heavily depend on Kohli’s performances.
“He’s a massive player, no matter where it is. Having played here quite a bit and had a fair amount of success. He’ll be able to pass that knowledge on to the other guys, especially the younger guys and give them ideas on how to manage these conditions and then what to expect,” Kallis added.