South African pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada expressed immense admiration for his team's remarkable ability to overcome challenges and secure victories, even in his absence, after their stunning win against India in the first Test at Kolkata.
Historic Victory on Indian Soil
The reigning World Test Championship champions scripted a memorable 30-run victory within just three days at Kolkata's Eden Gardens, defending a modest target of 123 runs on Sunday. This triumph marked South Africa's first Test win on Indian soil in 15 years, giving them an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Rabada, who missed the crucial match due to a rib injury that required multiple scans before the Test, watched from the sidelines as his teammates produced an extraordinary performance. "No matter who sits out, we can still find a way to win," Rabada stated in a video released by Cricket South Africa.
Team Spirit Shines Through
The Proteas pacer emphasized the team's collective strength, noting that "(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."
Bavuma made a significant return to the playing XI after missing the preceding two Tests in Pakistan, where South Africa had bounced back to level the series 1-1. The captain played a pivotal role in Kolkata, scoring a match-winning 55 in the second innings that gave the visiting bowlers a competitive total to defend.
Individual Brilliance and Collective Effort
Rabada highlighted several key performances that contributed to the memorable victory. "We had a good start in the first innings with Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton. They set the tone. Marco Jansen stood up, Corbin Bosch stood up at crucial times. Everyone chipped in and really, that's the hallmark of what this team is made of," he elaborated.
The visitors outplayed the hosts on a challenging dry wicket that offered variable bounce and turn throughout the match. Rabada described the low-scoring thriller as "typical Test cricket" and ranked it among the top three victories for South Africa this season.
"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," Rabada confirmed.
The fast bowler vividly described the emotional roller coaster of watching from the sidelines: "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. It was quite nerve-wracking on the side, and I'm just itching to want to get out."
Attention now turns to whether Rabada will be available for the second Test scheduled to be played in Guwahati from November 22-26. The pacer's recovery from his rib injury remains crucial for South Africa as they look to complete a series whitewash against the formidable Indian side.
