Picture Credits: Twitter/CSA
The recently-concluded series between South Africa and India will be remembered for Virat Kohli and Co. losing their best chance to register their maiden series win in the rainbow nation, despite starting so well. However, the series will also be a testimony of the visitors indulging in sledging on numerous occasions.
Indian players fuming over Dean Elgar’s controversial DRS call was one of the major takeaways and the manner in which players took turns to slam the broadcaster of the game on stump mic was a sight to go down in the history of cricket.
As Virat Kohli missed the 2nd Test in Johannesburg due to back spasms, he didn’t forget to settle accounts with South African players for sledging young Rishabh Pant, when he returned in Cape Town. Notably, Proteas' batter Rassie vd Dussen (while standing at short-leg) had sledged wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant during the second Test match in Johannesburg.
Pant was heard replying Dussen by saying, "If you have half knowledge then keep your mouth shut." And on the next ball, Pant tried to step down to Kagiso Rabada and edged it straight to wicket-keeper, losing his wicket on a three-ball duck.
When South Africa were cruising towards historic victory on the fourth day of 3rd Test, Virat Kohli got an opportunity to fire back at Rassie vd Dussen for his comments in previous match. Kohli was heard saying, “So you go after someone who is five years younger than you?” reflecting on the fact that it was not right from him to sledge Pant, who is actually 8 years younger to Rassie.
The video of Kohli giving this piece of advice to Dussen was widely shared on social media and users applauded the skipper for being the captain of his player.
Watch the video here:
While he earned praise for standing by his teammates, Virat Kohli also received lot of criticism from former Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir for being over aggressive in the game. Reflecting on Kohli's behaviour and actions on Day 3, Gambhir said, "Such reaction from the captain was an exaggerated one and you can't be a role model in this manner. No budding cricketers would want to see this kind of a reaction, especially from the Indian captain."