South Africa vs. India: Virat Kohli aims to surpass Sehwag and Dravid on the exclusive list
The ‘last frontier’ is about to begin as India attempts to win its first-ever Test series in the Rainbow Nation against South Africa. India has only been able to draw the Test series against the Proteas once in eight previous tries, losing the other seven. The Indian team’s priority would be winning the series, but the star Virat Kohli will be keen to surpass players like Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag in the record for most Test runs scored by an Indian in South Africa.
Right now, with 14 matches played and 1236 runs scored, Kohli is ranked No. 4. Rahul Dravid, in contrast, scored 1306 runs in 15 games and 1252 runs in 21 games. Top of the list with 1741 runs in 25 matches is Sachin Tendulkar.
India’s seventh away series in the Rainbow Nation since 1992 will begin with a two-match Test rubber commencing in Centurion on Boxing Day. Captain Rohit will have the challenging challenge of navigating a challenging terrain in order to overcome what has always been referred to as the team’s “final frontier.”
However, the severe rains that are expected for the first two days must stop before any activity takes place at Supersport Park.
One of the quickest tracks in the area, the Centurion course has varying bounce. And it compensates for a thrilling match between bat and ball in somewhat windier and colder circumstances on an open field where the ball may swing around a little.
Captain Rohit would have, at worst, replicated Kapil Dev and Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the last 50 overs of the World Cup, but if he and his team pull off a coup in this nation, he would rank first among equals.
In addition to Sachin Tendulkar (1996) and Sourav Ganguly (2001), Mohammed Azharuddin (1992) also failed. None of the players—Rahul Dravid (2006–07), Dhoni (2010–11 and 2013–14), and Virat Kohli (2018–19 and 2021-22)—were able to win the illusive series in South Africa.
Thus, Rohit will have a task ahead of him, and while the scars will not go away, a victory might be the much-needed consoling salve needed to cure the World Cup wounds.
