In the first Test match against South Africa, Team India suffered a loss by 30 runs at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Following the win, South Africa`s lead pacer Kagiso Rabada, who missed out on the series opener due to injury, said that his team will find a way to win, no matter who sits out.
While speaking in a video shared by Cricket South Africa, the pacer said, “No matter who sits out, we can still find a way to win. (Skipper) Temba (Bavuma) has been crucial for us, but he hasn`t played every game. I haven`t played this game. That doesn`t matter. Whoever is gonna get out on the field, we believe that they can do the job”.
The victory also marked their first win on Indian soil in 15 years. With this, the Proteas have taken a lead by 1-0 in the two-match Test series against Team India.
Bavuma returned to the playing XI after missing their preceding two Tests in Pakistan, where South Africa bounced back to draw the series 1-1.
Rabada also heaped praise on individual players by saying everyone chipped in and that`s the hallmark of the South African team.
“We had a good start in the first innings with Aiden (Markram) and (Ryan) Rickelton. They set the tone. Marco (Jansen) stood up, Boschi (Corbin Bosch) stood up at crucial times. Everyone chipped in and really, that`s the hallmark of what this team is made of,” said the 30-year-old pacer.
Further speaking, the pacer said that the win over the Indians would definitely go up in among the top three victories for the side.
“(The victory is) definitely right up there. With the types of wins that we`ve had this season, it`s hard to say, because we`ve had some pretty epic wins, but this one is definitely (in the) top three. That was typical Test cricket (contest) I mean, just the ebbs and flows of the game. We found ourselves on the back foot, and then somehow managed to finish on the front foot,” said the pacer, who has so far played 73 Test matches.
He also expressed eagerness to feature in the second Test match, which is scheduled to be played from November 22 at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati.
“It was quite nerve-wracking on the side, and I`m just itching to want to get out. I don`t know what to say. It`s just… it`s just, like, an emotional roller coaster, and I`m glad that we finished on the right side,” concluded Rabada.
(With PTI Inputs)