Virat Kohli achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the only player to score 2000 runs in seven separate years on the calendar. Unfortunately, India suffered a crushing defeat against South Africa in the 1st Test. Dean Elgar's graceful knock of 185, along with South Africa's accurate pace attack, swiftly dismantled India's batting lineup within just three days. Despite the struggles faced by his teammates against the lethal trio of Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Nandre Burger, Kohli displayed his prowess by accumulating runs through swift singles and boundaries.
In the past, he managed to accomplish this incredible feat in various years: 2012 (2186 runs), 2014 (2286 runs), 2016 (2595 runs), 2017 (2818 runs), 2018 (2735 runs), and 2019 (2455 runs). It's worth noting that no other player, dating back to the inception of international cricket in 1877 (according to official records), has achieved such a remarkable accomplishment.
In India's loss by an innings and 32 runs, he scored 76 runs off 82 balls, bringing his total runs to 2006 in 2023.
On day 3, India's captain Rohit Sharma struggled once again against South Africa's Kagiso Rabada. Rabada's delivery with an inward angle confused Rohit, causing him to miss the line and the ball hit the stumps. The experienced right-handed batsman was dismissed for a duck after facing only eight balls, making it his seventh dismissal in eleven innings against Rabada. Yashasvi Jaiswal attempted to avoid the delivery, but unfortunately, the ball brushed off his glove and went directly into the wicketkeeper's hands.
Shubamn Gill seemed poised to have a substantial presence on the field, but his endeavour to execute a shot along the direct line fell short. Marco Jansen claimed his maiden wicket as Gill departed, having scored 26 runs off 37 deliveries. Following a disappointing beginning to their second innings, South Africa dealt a heavy blow to India by swiftly dismissing Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul.
After Burger dismissed Ravichandran Ashwin without scoring a single run, it seemed like India's destiny was almost certain.
Jasprit Bumrah's dismissal due to an outstanding fielding effort by Dean Elgar left everyone feeling disheartened. The South Africa team's successful review revealed that Mohammed Siraj had touched the ball with his glove before it reached the wicketkeeper.
(With Input from agencies)
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