South Africa vs India: From Big Five's den

Kohli and his ways
Soon after the entire batting unit was done with the nets, Virat Kohli looked towards the Indian media contingent and asked if anyone could bowl spin. Some didn’t hear, some didn’t care and the rest were probably scared or shy. Kohli let out a wry smile before walking up to Dhoni and said, “Pehele bolte hai Virat Kohli is in the form of his life. Aur ab, sirf do hafte mein, not good enough (First they say… and now, just two weeks later, they say I’m not good enough).” The rest is unprintable.

Driver tales
Christian Frederick drives Team India’s bus in Johannesburg. “I have been doing this since 2010,” he says. The transport company he works for is contracted with Cricket South Africa.

Frederick has ferried many teams. “Aussies, Kiwis, Indians, Sri Lankans, but not the Proteas. I am just not interested. It’s good to work for the visitors,” he adds. So, who is his favourite cricketer? “It has to be Kumar Sangakkara. Great batsman, greater person. Signed his bat and gifted it to me,” he informs. So what have the Indians presented him? “Suresh Raina gave me a cap after the ODIs. Nice chap.” Frederick says the Indian team bus is usually quiet. “They don’t say a word.” Yeah, losing does that to you!