IND vs SA: Why Virat Kohli 'irritated' Aiden Markram by swapping the bails on Day 1 of Cape Town Test

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IND vs SA: Virat Kohli on Wednesday tried to get under the skin of South Africa opener Aiden Markram by swapping the bails just before the final delivery of the Day 1 of the second Test at the Newlands in Cape Town.

On a day when as many as 23 wickets fell, Virat Kohli shone with the bat and top-scored for India with his 59-ball innings for 46 runs which included six fours and a six. The knock helped India take a 98-run first innings lead after bundling out South Africa for 55 earlier in the day.

The star cricketer was at his animated best while fielding. He actively plotted plans with captain Rohit Sharma and was in the ears of the South African batters throughout the day.

He stole limelight in the final seconds of the day as well. Just when Kohli realised the final delivery of the 17th over from Mukesh Kumar would bring end to Day 1, he walked over to the stumps and swapped the bails.

Notably, Kohli had switched the bails during the first Test in Johannesburg also. The old 'bail-trick' which was successfully used by Stuart Broad during the Ashes 2023, helped India as well as Jasprit Bumrah struck twice for India immediately after that.

The moment Virat Kohli switched the bails in Cape Town, Aiden Markram looked visibly 'irritated' by the act. However, Kohli did it purposefully to get back at Markram who was deliberately taking longer than usual time to get ready for the next delivery in his attempt to ensure Mukesh's over was the last of the eventful day which saw India push South Africa on the back foot by picking 13 wickets.

After the end of day's play, Piyush Chawal said on Star Sports that Kohli switched the bails only to get back at Markram who was deliberately wasting time to ensure South Africa, who are trailing by 36 runs, lose no further wickets. Markam went back to the pavilion unbeaten on 36.