CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg [January 24-28, 2018].

South Africa is one of the toughest places to play Test cricket. The uneven bounce, seam and pace make the lives of the batsmen miserable. As a result, we often encounter low-scoring thrillers in the Rainbow Nation. However, there has been a rare occasion wherein the visiting captain didn't bow down but rather took the challenge of playing in the scariest conditions. 

In the year 2018, the Indian Cricket Team toured South Africa to play 3 Tests, 6 ODIs and 3 T20 Internationals. Despite the fight and resistance, the visitors were 0-2 down, and the clouds of whitewash were looming as the teams reached Johannesburg for the final test. However, the pitch in the Wanderers was producing uneven bounce, which was causing multiple injuries to batsmen. As a result, the umpires considered calling off the test. However, this is when Captain Kohli decided that he and his team wouldn't run away and decided that the match should continue.

India chose to bat first on the dangerous Johannesburg surface, which was already exhibiting considerable seam movement and irregular bounce. With 50 runs from Cheteshwar Pujara and a crucial 54 from captain Virat Kohli, the visitors were able to score 187 runs in their first innings. Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, and Vernon Philander all made good use of the pitch. In response, South Africa found the going to be just as difficult. They had a slim seven-run advantage as their innings ended with just 194. With 61 runs, Hashim Amla was the highest scorer. The Indian bowling attack was brilliantly led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who took 3 for 44, and Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed five wickets.

In the second innings, Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane batted with remarkable talent and perseverance in spite of difficult batting circumstances. Rahane added a smooth 48 runs, and the Indian captain scored an important 41. Before the visitors were bowled out for 247, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar demonstrated excellent batting skills by scoring 27 and 33 runs, respectively, down the order.

South Africa, chasing 241 for victory, lost opener Aiden Markram early on, but Hashim Amla and Dean Elgar put up a strong partnership, adding 119 runs for the second wicket. The combination increased the likelihood of a successful chase, but the South African batting lineup came apart after Amla was dismissed for 52. On 86 off 240 balls, Elgar remained undefeated as wickets fell all around him.

The charge was spearheaded by Mohammed Shami, who broke the back of the hosts' chase with a scorching performance, taking 5 for 28. Ishant Sharma and Bumrah both finished with two wickets, providing outstanding support. South Africa lost by 63 runs after being knocked out for 177 in their second innings.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was awarded the man of the match award as Indians avoided a whitewash. However, despite India not winning this series, the Johannesburg test will always be remembered for the courage which Captain Kohli and his troop exhibited in South Africa. It is a match which will be remembered for ages. 

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