Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has said that Virat Kohli left behind his ego in the kit bag and showed discipline leaving a lot of deliveries bowled outside off scoring a half-century in the first innings in Cape Town. Kohli scored 79 runs helping the team post a total of 223/10.

India are playing against South Africa in the third Test of the series in Cape Town. They are eyeing for a maiden series win in the Rainbow Nation while hosts will look forward to winning the fixture and securing a series win. India won the toss and batted first. Virat kohli returned to the squad after missing the second fixture due to back spasm.

India posted a total of 223/10 and Kohli played a key role scoring 79 runs being the only batsman to score a half-century in the innings. He was looking in sublime touch and might have ended his century drought but the wickets continuously tumbled from the other end. Reflecting on the knock by the captain, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has said that Kohli left behind his ego in the kit bag and showed a lot of discipline against deliveries outside off stump. 

“Virat has said many times that when you go to England, you should leave behind your ego in India. Today, Virat Kohli left behind his ego in the kit bag and this knock reminds me of his very successful tour of England, where he got beaten many times but left a lot of deliveries outside off-stump,” said Gambhir while reviewing the first day’s play on Star Sports. 

“Today, in the same way, he left deliveries outside off-stump, he got beaten as well but kept his ego with himself. He did not try to dominate the bowlers on every delivery.” 

South Africa are on 17/1 at the end of day 1 in response to the Indian innings. Dean Elgar has been sent back to pavilion on 3 runs. Aiden Markram and Keshav Maharaj will start the innings for them on Day 2.