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The top 3 battles between Kagiso Rabada and Virat Kohli in Test cricket

 

The enthralling two-match test series is underway between South Africa and India at the Rainbow Nation. While both the teams are an equal match for each other, South Africa is currently leading the way in the first test at Centurion as they have taken a substantial lead of more than 150 runs in the first innings and Indian will have to bat out of their skin on a difficult surface to make their way back into the game.

But amid the bigger battle, there are some small battles between individuals which makes the game even more interesting for the fans and when the battle is between the two best players from both the teams, it becomes a spectacle for the viewers. 

Kagiso Rabada is South Africa’s premier bowler, especially in Test cricket and over the years he has had some intense battles with Virat Kohli in the Test format. On one hand, where Virat has scored 215 runs against Rabada at an impressive average of 58.3, the latter has got Virat out 4 times to date which to an extent makes it an enthralling battle between two modern greats.

Let’s deep-dive into it and explore the three top battles between these two top cricketers in Test cricket:

1. Virat topped the charts with a sensational 153 at Centurion in 2018

Considered Virat’s one of the best centuries in the test format, the 153 runs innings at Centurion in the second test back in 2018 is a testament to Virat’s grit and adaptability under challenging conditions. South Africa posted a decent total of 335 runs in the first innings and Virat was the only Indian batter among the runs.

The South Africa bowling line-up consisting of Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Vernon Philander tested Kohli at every point with sharp bouncers, good outswingers, and nipping in-swingers but Kohli stood tall and played one of the best innings played by an Indian batter on South African shores.

2. Virat Kohli’s gritty half-century at Cape Town

Once again Virat came into bat with India struggling at 33 for 2 on a green pitch against the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Duane Olivier. Rabada challenged Kohli with all the weapons in his armoury whether it was the fourth stump out-swinger or bouncers but Virat again valiantly scored a gritty half-century. 

Virat adjusted his approach, leaving deliveries around the off-stump, playing with precision to reach a measured half-century. However, due to a lack of support from teammates, he eventually played a delivery he had been avoiding throughout his innings.

3. Rabada got the better of Kohli at Centurion in 2023

As is mostly the case in South Africa, the Indian openers again fell cheaply in the first test at Centurion on a spicy wicket under overcast conditions when Virat Kohli came into bat in the first innings. 

With Kagiso Rabada wreaking havoc on a bowling-friendly pitch, Kohli started well and played some cracking shots to stitch a partnership with Shreyas Iyer. But it was to last for long as Rabada got the better of Virat Kohli and got him caught behind on a beautiful outswinger. Although Virat Kohli got a start in this innings Rabada’s brilliance eventually led to his downfall in the match.