India’s struggle against South Africa highlights how much Kohli’s leadership once steadied the team

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Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicket-keeper batter Shreevats Pratyush Goswami believes the Indian cricket team is missing Virat Kohli’s energy and leadership in Tests. Commenting after India’s ongoing India vs South Africa Test in Guwahati, he said Kohli should have retired from ODIs instead of Tests. 

Goswami wrote on X, “Ideally, Virat should have left playing ODIs & continued playing test cricket until he had nothing to give. Test cricket misses him. Not just as a player but just the energy he brought, the love & passion playing for India, where he made the team believe that they can win in any condition.”

India’s Batting Woes Continue

India’s struggle with the bat was on full display as the team was bowled out for 201 in the first innings. Only Yashasvi Jaiswal (58 off 97 balls) and Washington Sundar (48 off 92 balls) offered resistance amid a collapse. The team lost key wickets quickly, with KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja among those dismissed cheaply. Washington and Kuldeep Yadav stitched a 72-run eighth-wicket partnership before India’s innings ended.

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South Africa Dominates the Second Test

After taking a 288-run first-innings lead, South Africa ended Day 3 at 26 without loss in their second innings, with openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram at 13 and 12. Marco Jansen was the standout bowler, taking 6/48, while Simon Harmer added three wickets for 64 runs. The visitors hold a 314-run advantage with two days remaining, dominating the second Test after winning the first by 30 runs in Kolkata.

Kohli’s Impact on the Indian Team

Experts and former players feel the Indian team has lost more than just a player in Kohli. His aggressive method and faith in victory amid hardships not only revived the team but also were attributes that Rishabh Pant's team currently lacks. 

Goswami pointed out that Kohli's part in Tests could have been a source of inspiration for the middle and lower order, which might have been the case in the case of batting collapses similar to the one experienced in Guwahati.

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Conclusion: Lessons from India vs South Africa

India’s performance is a reminder of the difficulties in Test Cricket, particularly in the areas of captaincy and control under pressure. Comparisons with previous series suggest that Kohli’s influence was significant in creating a confident, fighting team. 

The Indian team will have to work on their morale and toughness, while the fans continue to reflect on the void left by one of India’s greatest Test batsmen, as the India and South Africa series progresses.