Virat Kohli helps Hardik Pandya in a unique way while batting

The ongoing second Test match between India and South Africa is interestingly poised with the home side slightly ahead in the proceedings. Though the skipper of the visitors Virat Kohli kept them at bay with a classy innings of an 85* and is looking good for yet another century in whites. With him in the middle is the star all-rounder Hardik Pandya who played out the tricky period before the end of the day’s play. However, it was the strategy between the duo which helped Pandya to survive the impeccable bowling from Proteas.

India bundled out South Africa for 335 in the first session and were also guilty of dropping the catches. But when they came out to bat it was all madness as a misjudged run from Cheteshwar Pujara left them reeling at 28/2. The stand between Murali Vijay and Kohli resurrected the things for them but once the former was sent back, it was all one-way traffic.

Kohli has his way at the non-striker’s end

South Africa managed to generate the reverse swing with the old ball as they snaffled the likes of Rohit Sharma and Parthiv Patel. But once Pandya came in, he started to second guess the bowler even walking at him at one stage. He also countered a sudden inswinger by staying in the crease and punched it for four leaving the bowler Lungi Ngidi wondering. The bluff here was the set batsman Virat Kohli who was helping Hardik from the other end.

If the shiny side was away from the batsman then it would reverse away from him. Kohli had his bat in the left hand at the other end indicating his partner that the bowl would further swing away from him. When the ball would reverse in, the captain would switch the bat in his right hand and Pandya would realize that the delivery would be coming into him. At one point Virat also used his feet to send out a message; outswinger – left leg out and for inswinger – right leg out.

The conversation between the two in the 61st over was caught in the stump mic when Pandya was facing Morne Morkel. On the second ball of the over, Kohli was seen holding his bat in the left hand and his partner, on cue, walks across the stumps. But soon after the delivery, Pandya told Kohli that he’s facing difficulties to spot the shiny side. The light was fading when he said, “ball kaala kar diya” (the ball has gotten dark). Kohli assured his partner though responded saying, “Wohi mujhe dikh raha hai, main bataoonga” (I can see that, I will inform you).

The strategy worked perfectly for the duo as they survived the last hour with India finishing on 183/5. They would love to continue in the same way on the third day with an aim to take their side close to the total posted by South Africa.

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