CT 2017, Match 11, India v South Africa: CT Player of the Match - Virat Kohli

The ICC Champions Trophy wasn’t designed to hold quarter-finals, but such was the turn of events in Group B that all four teams had to contest in virtual quarters this year. India and South Africa went head to head in the first of the two. The Proteas lived up to their tag of ‘chokers’ once again, as their otherwise robust batting order was skittled out by India’s pacemen.

Having posted a mere 191, South Africa were never in a position to call the shots at The Oval. The defending champions eased to the target with 12 overs to spare, and the captain himself saw to it that his team stormed into the semis no questions asked.

A gradual start for Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli had deliberately left his usual flamboyance in the locker room when he came out to bat. His innings against the South Africans wasn’t Kohli-esque at all – he took all the time in the world to get things going. At the halfway mark, it was India’s match to lose under all circumstances, and the captain certainly didn’t want to see his team crash out of the Champions Trophy after a professional display in the first innings.

India had already lost Rohit Sharma early in the innings. Another couple of wickets would have brought the Proteas right back into the game. Hence, the intent was understandably different from Virat. Arguably the best batsman in the world, an unmatched hunger for runs, and a knack of toppling milestones like it is no one’s business – these traits were kept subdued by Kohli.

He was patient, very; there was a point when he was on 3 from 15 balls. His first signs of aggression came against Andile Phehlukwayo when he walked down the pitch and launched it nonchalantly over mid-off. He followed it up with a boundary in the next over, Chris Morris being at the receiving end this time.

Kohli gets a second life

Kohli lived to tell the tale courtesy of Amla’s drop, which in all fairness was a tough grab. As Virat has done so often in the past, he threw his hands at a wider ball, and got a thick outside edge. Amla the slipper dived low to his right, one hand out, but couldn’t hold on to it.

A while after he got his second life, Kohli took the attack to Morne Morkel. He creamed two consecutive boundaries through the off side to bring up the 100 for India. The Morkel-bashing resumed the very next over, as Kohli once again drove the ball towards the boundary ropes. The captain of the Indian team was essentially holding a workshop on timing and placement, right at the heart of London.

50 and beyond

It took Virat 70 balls to finally get to his fifty. The skipper had weathered the storm early but was in full control of things at that point. Despite Shikhar Dhawan’s dismissal, he carried his innings forward to ensure India didn’t face any further speed bumps. Thereafter, the odd boundary featured in Kohli’s measured knock, and these were shots that were steeped in class and elegance. Yuvraj Singh did the honours, sealing India’s semi-final spot – his typical swat over mid-wicket being the winning moment.

The skipper was all smiles, and why not. He had just played a structured, reserved, yet masterful innings to take his side into the semi-finals. Perhaps this wasn’t Kohli at his very best, perhaps this wasn’t his usual self at all. Nevertheless, the creditable aspect of his innings was that Kohli played it outside of his comfort zone. That he saw his team home through without as much as a hint of nervousness goes on to prove the excellence of his masterclass.

Thus, South Africa were once again knocked out of an ICC tournament, and India advanced to face their neighbours Bangladesh in the semis. The scriptwriter for tonight’s win though – Virat Kohli, who also happens to be our CT Player of the Match.