Virat Kohli missed Johannesburg Test due to upper back spasm.
Former cricketer Ashish Nehra has shared his thoughts about the impact of Virat Kohli’s absence in India’s defeat against South Africa in the second Test in Johannesburg.
Ahead of the second Test match against South Africa in Johannesburg, Team India was jolted as skipper Virat Kohli was ruled out due to an upper back spasm.
Team India then lost the match as bowlers failed to defend the remaining 122 runs on the rain-affected Day 4 in Johannesburg as South African skipper Dean Elgar (96*) led from the front to take his side home and level the series 1-1.
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Following visitors’ loss, many have criticised KL Rahul for his captaincy, as they felt that the opening batter applied poor tactics and also set poor fields, highlighting that Virat Kohli’s absence in the match was quite noticeable as he could’ve boosted the intensity in the players to give their best.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Ashish Nehra admitted that although Team India missed Virat Kohli as a batter but his presence wouldn't have affected the outcome of the match that much as the intensity of the team was up and the likes of Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah were also chirping constantly.
"When you talk about a player like Virat Kohli, there's always a buzz, if the result doesn't go your way, you do miss him. I feel India definitely missed Virat Kohli the batter. He always keeps up the intensity but I won't say the team's intensity was down.
“You could hear a few voices; Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah were constantly chirping. So, I won't say that if Kohli had played this (Johannesburg) match, India would've won," Ashish Nehra said.
While explaining the same, Ashish Nehra highlighted how Team India won a series in Australia, last year, in the absence of Virat Kohli after they were bowled out for 36 runs in Adelaide.
"If you look at the Adelaide Test (vs Australia), India were bowled out for 36 and Virat Kohli was there. Rahane scored a century in the next game and India won the game and also the series but Kohli wasn't there," he said.
The Test series between South Africa and India is levelled at 1-1. The third and final match of the series will take place in Cape Town from 11th January.
(Cricbuzz inputs)