SA vs IND 2023: Virat Kohli is the only player whose average in South Africa is close to his career average – Aakash Chopra

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has stated that Indian batters must get the job done against South Africa in the two-match Test series. Indian batters, barring Virat Kohli, don’t have a great record while playing on South African soil.

Kohli has scored 719 runs in 14 innings with a remarkable average of 51.36 in South African conditions and thus he is going to hold the key. The talisman has amassed 8676 runs in 111 Test matches at an impressive average of 49.3, with 29 centuries.

On the other hand, Rohit Sharma is also going to be a crucial batter as he has all the experience under his belt. Rohit has aggregated 123 runs at an average of 15.37 in South Africa in four Test matches and he will look to better his record in tough conditions. The Indian captain has scored 3677 runs in 52 Test matches at an average of 46.54 and he will look to deliver as an opener.

India have dropped experienced batters like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara and thus Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal will look to grab their chances.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “You might have a question in your mind as to why we are unable to win here. According to me, the main reason is that these are the most difficult conditions for batting across the globe, where the ball seams, swings and bounces.”

The former India opener added: “When you see this team, Virat Kohli is the only player whose average in South Africa is close to his career average. Everyone else’s averages plummet when they go to South Africa. In fact, the entire South African team also has extremely ordinary averages in Test cricket. So Virat Kohli is shining bright.”

Chopra reckons India’s batting line-up is going to hold the key more than the bowling unit as the bowlers will get help in South African conditions.

“I think bowling will still stand up and get counted because the conditions are good for bowling and the opposing team too does not have that much might in batting. However, batting will have to score runs because the opposing team’s bowling is good for these conditions.”

The first Test match between India and South Africa will be played at the SuperSport Park, Centurion from December 26.