'Spat At Me' - When Virat Kohli Had A Shocking First Duel With Dean Elgar

image-lryjnxgtDean Elgar and Virat Kohli didn't get along too well [X.com]

Virat Kohli was extremely gracious and forgiving of Dean Elgar as his team's historic nemesis parted ways with Test cricket early in January with the New Year's Test in Cape Town. 

Kohli, the former skipper, who had seen Elgar emerge a thorn in the flesh during previous trips for India, was the first to hug the resolute and gritty opening batter as he bid farewell on familial turf in Newlands before the rest of the Indian team also congratulated the left-hander on a steadfast Test career.

The Indian batting maestro's salutation for Elgar, however, would believe the shocking first encounter he had with the stoic South African back in 2015 when the Proteas came touring India for a four-match Test series.

Kohli's Shocking First Battle With Elgar 

Speaking on 'Banter With The Boys' Podcast, Elgar revealed Kohli nearly "spat at me" during the verbal dual which played out during one of the Tests played on challenging turning pitches where the left-hander struggled to the great spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. 

"Those wickets were jokes. Like playing on that... that surface there. And I came into bat and I was actually like holding my own against Ashwin and what's his name Jeja, Jeja, Jeja (Ravindra Jadeja) (smiles) and Kohli, he like spat at me. I said to him if you do that, I'll ******g ***** you with this bat," Elgar said. 

Elgar revealed Kohli's famed Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammate AB de Villiers trying to calm matters out when he was present on the field with him. 

"Yes, he did because de Villiers was his teammate at RCB, so he understood. And I said if you do that, I'll ... on this field, I'll absolutely knock you out."

"And then [he said] 'Hey **** you, **** you' (mimicking the Indian) but barking up the wrong tree yeah. Anyways, we are in India so you got to be a little bit cautious," Elgar added.

Elgar proved to be a roadblock in Kohli's parade as his Indian team failed to breach the South African fortress during the 2021-22 tour when the three-match Test series ended 2-1 in home team's favour.