Mumbai: Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicketkeeper-batter Shreevats Goswami has sparked debate after saying Virat Kohli should have continued playing Test cricket instead of retiring from the format. His comments come amid India’s ongoing struggles in red-ball cricket, highlighted by their disappointing performance against South Africa in the current Test series.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Goswami said India is missing not just Kohli’s skills but also the passion and belief he instilled in the team during his captaincy.
“Ideally, Virat should have left playing ODIs and continued playing Test cricket until he had nothing to give. Test cricket misses him — his energy, his love for the format, and the belief he gave the team that they could win in any condition,” Goswami wrote.
India on the Brink of Another Home Series Defeat
India, already reeling from a Test series defeat to New Zealand last year, now face the prospect of another home series loss. If Rishabh Pant’s team drop the second Test, they could finish with consecutive home defeats — a rarity in modern Indian cricket.
South Africa Dominate in Guwahati
After taking a massive 288-run first-innings lead, South Africa ended Day 3 on 26/0, tightening their grip on the second Test. Openers Ryan Rickelton (13)* and Aiden Markram (12)* saw off the final overs without trouble.
The Proteas, who posted 489 in their first innings, now hold a commanding 314-run lead with two full days remaining. They had already won the first Test by 30 runs in Kolkata.
India Collapse Despite Jaiswal and Washington’s Resistance
India’s batting faltered once again. Only Yashasvi Jaiswal (58 off 97) and Washington Sundar (48 off 92) showed fight before the innings fell apart at 201 all out in 83.5 overs.
A major collapse early in the day saw India slump from 9/0 to 102/4, before further wickets in the second session left them reeling at 122/7.
A gritty 72-run stand between Washington and Kuldeep Yadav (19 off 134) briefly slowed South Africa’s momentum, but the resistance ended once the visitors took the new ball.
Marco Jansen Leads the Destruction
South Africa’s left-arm pacer Marco Jansen produced a sensational spell, finishing with 6/48, while spinner Simon Harmer supported with 3/64. Their combined effort dismantled India’s middle and lower order.
Key Indian batters including KL Rahul (22), Sai Sudharsan (15), Dhruv Jurel (0), Rishabh Pant (7), Ravindra Jadeja (6) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (10) all struggled to make an impact.
