IND v SA | Virat Kohli had answers to everything we threw at him, admits Faf du Plessis

After a couple of quiet performances in the Caribbean and in the first Test at Vizag, Kohli was in full-flow at Pune, as he put on a show en route his seventh double century in Test cricket.

“We saw in the first Test as well, as a captain you try and think of ways about the field placements. All the questions and stuff we threw at him (Virat Kohli), he had the answers. Just relentless and sticking to his game. For me what really stuck out was the hunger for runs,” du Plessis said at the post-match presentation, reported Cricbuzz.

Riding on Kohli’s unbeaten 254, and Mayank Agarwal’s second Test century (108), India put on a massive first innings total of 601 for five. Eventually, it was more than enough to crush an already deflated South African side.

“To put a score like that in the first innings and two days on the field got us down. The batsmen were weak on mindset for fielding for so long. You have to be on top of your best game, if you aren't then you are found wanting,” du Plessis said.

After the ploy to field three spinners in the first Test failed, the Proteas opted to swap one of them with a pacer Anrich Nortje, to be precise. Although Kagiso Rabada was the only fast bowler who returned with something to show for in the wickets column, du Plessis stood by his decision to opt for the extra seamer on a lively pitch at Pune.

“I feel it was the right selection for this pitch; I thought it was the right-decision picking an extra seamer. KG managed to build some pressure but we needed another bowler to compete, who could do that job,” he said.

South Africa may play Lungi Ngidi, who has been recovering from an injury, for the third and final Test at Ranchi. In the meantime, du Plessis did not shy away from congratulating the hosts for claiming the series 2-0.

“All in all, India deservedly are the Test series winners and their record speaks for itself. We will try to improve in the next Test,” du Plessis added.