‘Virat Kohli loves to keep proving but ..’: Sreesanth’s Take on India’s X-factor for South Africa series

Virat Kohli has given his best performance in the ICC World Cup 2023. The tournament saw the best of Kohli as a pure batter in the ICC event. The Indian run machine shattered a plethora of records in the ODI World Cup 2023 although his batting skills did not work in the final match and helped India to win the CWC trophy.

Averaging 95.62 in 11 World Cup games, the former India skipper amassed 765 runs for team India. Kohli who scored a record levelling century on his 35th birthday at the World Cup against South Africa, was rested for the entire Australia T20I series which was held immediately after the ICC event.

Appointing Suryakunar Yadav as Team India’s T20I captain in the absence of injured Hardik Pandya, India recorded a win over Australia.

Despite missing the major teammates Rohit, Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, India emerged 4-1 winners in the Australia T20Is. As India set to visit South Africa tour in its first away assignment after the ICC World Cup, skipper Virat Kohli had requested BCCI for a break from the white-ball series.

He will feature in India’s star-studded squad for the Test series against South Africa.

‘Virat Loves to Keep Proving”: Sreesanth

As runner-up in the previous edition of the ICC World Test Championship, India is in third place. Host country South Africa is yet to open its account in the WTC.

Speaking to Firstpost in the South Africa tour, former India pacer Shanthakumaran Nair Sreesanth picked two players when he asked to choose the X-factor for the Test series.

Former Indian Pacer Says Winning South Africa at South Africa is Like Winning WC

“Virat Kohli. Virat loves to keep proving, himself rather than to anybody but to himself. I think he’s that cricketer who plays with that pride and he takes that pride in a very good way, not in an egoistic way. So pride for me, and for Virat also I’m sure it’s like personal responsibility in delivering excellence. So, I will go with Virat and KL Rahul,” Sreesanth said.

India announced its squad for the white-ball series (T20I, ODIs, and Test series) against South Africa. Batter Rahul has returned to the Test series along with Shreyas Iyer and Bumrah. The Test series opener on December 26 between India and South Africa at the SuperSport Park will mark Kohli’s first international match after the 2023 World Cup.