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'Not A Game Of Few Hours...'- Virat Kohli On Tests After India’s Defeat In Centurion

image-lqrhic61Virat Kohli in action [AP]

Team India batter Virat Kohli opened up about his passion for Test cricket, terming it the 'Real Test.' He expressed his belief that players participating in Test cricket must demonstrate a 'different temperament' as the format doesn't last for a few hours or a day like T20s or ODIs.

For a long time now, Kohli has consistently emphasised the significance of promoting Test cricket. He has conveyed in the past that he is a traditionalist, considering playing Test cricket to be the pinnacle of achievement. 

As one of the few Indians to participate in over 100 Tests, Kohli has accumulated 8790 runs at an average of 49.38 with the help of 29 centuries and 30 fifties.

In an interview with Star Sports, Kohli underscored the distinctive temperament required in Test cricket, asserting that it challenges every aspect of a player. 

He emphasised that Test cricket is not a game of a few hours or a day; it is the real test of a player's skills and character.

"Whether you like it or not, you have to show a different temperament in Test Cricket - this is not the game of few hours or a day. It tests your everything - this is the Real Test,”  said Virat Kohli in a interview with Star Sports.

The most recent appearance of Kohli in the whites was in Centurion, where South Africa secured victory in the Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park on December 28, defeating India by an innings and 32 runs. 

In India's second innings, Kohli's 76-run contribution was the only positive, an innings laced with 12 fours and a six. Although he faltered in the first innings, getting out for 38, he showed his class and resilience in the second innings amid the collapse of the Indian side due to early wickets.

With Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer all making early exits, the pressure mounted on Kohli, especially after KL Rahul was dismissed, leaving India at 96/5 in under 26 overs. However, Kohli drew upon his experience, struck boundaries at regular intervals and reverted the pressure on the Proteas pacers.

Surviving an early scare when substitute fielder Wiaan Mulder dropped him, Kohli redoubled his determination to score runs and ended up being India's top-scorer with 76 to his name.

Kohli's next appearance is slated for the second Test match of the Freedom Trophy at Cape Town's Newlands, commencing on January 3. Team India will be eager to level the series, securing a consolation win and avoiding a whitewash in the rainbow nation.