Virat Kohli took his 100th catch in Test cricket as he caught Temba Bavuma off the bowling of Mohammed Shami to put India right back in the contest against South Africa.
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Virat Kohli may not have scored a century with the bat for over two years for India in any format. But, in Cape Town, he finally reached a century but with a twist. India was searching for a breakthrough with Keegan Petersen and Temba Bavuma building a solid partnership. However, the game changed spectacularly in the 56th over. Bavuma edged a back of a length delivery from Shami and the edge flew to Kohli at second slip. The Indian cricket team skipper dived to his left to take a great catch.
The catch put him in a special list. The catch of Bavuma was Kohli’s 100th catch in Test cricket. Out of the 99 Tests that he has played, Kohli has taken 100 catches, meaning he has taken a catch every Test match. Kohli became the sixth Indian player in Tests to reach the milestone of 100 catches in Tests. The list is headed by current Indian cricket team coach Rahul Dravid with a staggering 210. VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar and Mohammad Azharuddin are the other players to have taken more than 100 catches in Tests. Behind Kohli, only Ajinkya Rahane is behind with 99 catches in 82 Tests. He too might get a chance in the Cape Town Test.
| Player | Matches | Catches | Maximum Catches (Single Match) |
| Rahul Dravid | 164 | 210 | 3 |
| VVS Laxman | 134 | 135 | 4 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 200 | 115 | 3 |
| Sunil Gavaskar | 125 | 108 | 3 |
| Mohammad Azharuddin | 99 | 105 | 5 |
| Virat Kohli | 99 | 100 | 3 |
The Cape Town Test is evenly poised after two days of the deciding Test. Kagiso Rabada managed to take four wickets and he was well supported by Marco Jansen. But, Virat Kohli held firm with a brilliant 79 and he was well supported by Cheteshwar Pujara who hit 43. But, India managed only 223 runs. However, Jasprit Bumrah stepped up for India as he took the wicket of Dean Elgar towards the close of play on day 1.
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Bumrah removed Aiden Markram with the first over of the second day. Umesh Yadav then dismissed nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj for 25. But, Rassie van der Dussen and Keegan Petersen shared a partnership in excess of 50 to boost South Africa. However, van der Dussen fell after the lunch break but Keegan Petersen notched up a gritty fifty. Temba Bavuma gave him great support but Shami changed the complexion of the match. His wickets of Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne have given India a chance to restrict South Africa.
India will be gunning to win their first-ever Test series in South Africa. A victory in Cape Town would signal a completion of their Mission ‘World Domination’. With the Tea Break approaching, South Africa managed to get the deficit to under 50. Petersen was batting well and motoring along, with Marco Jansen giving him good support. But, just before the tea break, Bumrah got the wicket of Jansen. South Africa was 176/7, still trailing by 47 runs.
