'The wait continues' - Twitter reacts as Virat Kohli's century drought continues in Cape Town Test

The wait for Virat Kohli’s 71st Test century continues as the Indian skipper departed for 79 in the ongoing third Test against South Africa. The veteran batter indeed played a stellar knock as the track assisted the bowlers right from ball one. The likes of Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi were breathing fire with the new ball. Owing to the same, Kohli didn’t take many chances and allowed himself to get used to the conditions.

It must be noted that the ongoing Cape Town Test is a decider, with the series being poised at 1-1. Electing to bat first at the Newlands Stadium, India lost both their openers in the first hour of the day’s play. Hence, Kohli, who missed the preceding Test due to an upper back spasm, came into bat when India were reeling at 33/2.

Contrary to his usual approach, Kohli played defensively throughout the course of his knock. He was also careful against the deliveries outside the off-stump. As a result, Kohli reached the 50-run mark on his 158th delivery, the second-slowest of his Test career. Notably, the Indian skipper formed crucial partnerships with the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant.

However, the tail-enders couldn’t provide him much of the support. As a result, Kohli had to go for runs with wickets falling regularly from one end. His strike rate also enhanced in the process but just when he looked set to get the three-figure mark, Kagiso Rabada got the better of him.  It was an outswinging delivery which took the outside edge of Kohli’s willow and Kyle Verreynne took a safe catch behind the stumps.

He went down as India’s ninth wicket and the innings was soon over after his dismissal. India were eventually bowled out for 223 with Kohli being the only batter with a fifty-plus score. It must be noted that stakes are incredibly high in this game. A win for India would see their maiden Test series win on South African soil. Kohli would come out to bat one more time in this game and would like to make a similar or a greater impact.

Meanwhile, let’s look at how Twitterati reacted to Virat Kohli’s efforts:

That inning had Virat Kohli’s Class written all over it. #INDvSA

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 11, 2022

Players with 150+ scores in South Africa

In tests – 32 players
In Odis – 6 players

In Both ODIs & Tests – Virat Kohli 🐐 pic.twitter.com/AaKT8iS0bv

— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) January 9, 2022

Beautiful as you get, Virat Kohli. pic.twitter.com/RyvmSdXzXu

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 11, 2022

#Kohli deserved a ton after playing exceptionally well. 79 runs from 201 balls without hardly any support from the other end – this innings must rank among his best. #INDvsSA #SAvIND #ViratKohli #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/SvEc8TGmB9

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) January 11, 2022

Sometimes 79 has a lot more quality than a hundred. This was a top-top knock from a top player. Today Kohli hasn’t missed a century by 21 runs but scored valuable and high-quality 79 runs. #SAvInd

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 11, 2022

Well played, Virat Kohli – a fighting knock – 79 runs from 201 balls when there was no support from other end – King lead from front for India. pic.twitter.com/VQ2nbcgffN

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 11, 2022

Indian innings summed up in a pic. Once again onus on bowlers to keep us in the game. #SAvIND #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/vsRasnJAy0

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 11, 2022

Pain of Virat Kohli, he knows, played such a great knock. pic.twitter.com/8bu09aJwYU

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 11, 2022

Fifty for Virat Kohli#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/lxcdsg1LhR

— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) January 11, 2022

It's very special to see the greatest of talents and stroke makers dig in, play hard and find ways to survive long periods of time to achieve greatness.

Good going @imVkohli 👑#SAvIND #DKommBox pic.twitter.com/VLonyileHe

— DK (@DineshKarthik) January 11, 2022

Ajinkya Rahane gave a pat on Virat Kohli's back for a masterclass of a knock. pic.twitter.com/kqO6rBv8Rx

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 11, 2022

Sterling knock by @imVkohli, showed class, character, commitment. Alas couldn’t convert it into a much awaited century, but something to cheer in an otherwise very poor batting performance by India

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 11, 2022

The undercurrent of this Virat Kohli knock will only reveal itself over time. It's not about the eventual score he managed or a potential century he missed.

It's the high quality of control, discipline and responsibility he showed while he was at the crease.

Top knock.

— KSR (@KShriniwasRao) January 11, 2022