India vs South Africa: Kohli enters simulation mode to counter Nandre Burger; Shreyas Iyer faces short ball barrage

Virat Kohli looked to be in cracking touch as he did extensive simulation for South Africa’s left-arm pacer Nandre Burger. Shreyas Iyer, meanwhile, looked uncertain while facing a barrage of short balls in the nets on Monday. India take on South Africa in the second Test in Cape Town starting Wednesday. On New Year’s day, Kohli had an extended session lasting close to an hour. First, he was at the centre nets against bowlers and then he faced high-intensity throwdowns for about 20 to 25 minutes at outside nets. Since the Indian team’s pace bowling roster doesn’t include a left-arm bowler, a net bowler was summoned and Kohli faced nearly 30 deliveries from him in between facing Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, R Ashwin and Avesh Khan. Kohli was repeatedly seen putting in a big stride forward and at times walking a couple of steps to whip the bowler through mid wicket. Kohli’s preparations, however, can’t match the real deal with the nets bowler delivering at least 15 clicks lesser in pace compared to Nandre Burger, who took seven wickets on debut in the opening Test. The net bowler’s lack of pace allowed Virat to read the inswing and even walk down to flick him through mid-wicket. In match situations, Kohli is unlikely to get so much time. Iyer’s shortcoming Shreyas Iyer’s weakness against short ball is well documented. But the Mumbaikar wasn’t amused when the question cropped up during the ODI World Cup at home. However, the Centurion Test once again exposed his shortcomings against bounce. He continues to have serious issues while facing anything that’s remotely above his waist line. He looked iffy while batting and as Nuwan Senaviratne, the Sri Lankan left-arm side-armer, bowled one from 18 yards, Iyer reacted late while trying to pull the delivery and was hit on the fleshy part of the stomach. For a brief period, he stopped batting, looked in pain and was given water before he resumed his job. All three throwdown specialists bowled to him from 18 yards, and he didn’t for once look solid and display enough confidence even though he is an automatic choice in this playing XI. Shardul bats in the nets After being hit on the left shoulder during Saturday’s throwdown session at Centurion, Shardul Thakur was back at training, albeit strictly as a batter. Shardul wasn’t seen bowling but he did bat at centre net as well as throwdown nets. He didn’t seem in any discomfort and was looking good as he tackled the short balls.