South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada who missed the first Test against India due to a rib injury lauded his team's belief to win from any situation. South Africa were struggling after getting bowled out cheaply. But, bowlers staged a comeback and restricted India’s lead to 30. In first session on Day 3, skipper Temba Bavuma led the fightback with a gritty fifty to set a target of 124 which turned out to be enough to keep India at bay.
"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," Rabada said in a video shared by Cricket South Africa.
Bavuma returned to action after missing the Test series in Pakistan due to an injury. South Africa drew the series 1-1 under Aiden Markram’s leadership.
"That doesn't matter. Whoever is gonna get out on the field, we believe that they can do the job," Rabada said.
Rabada hailed the team work in addition to Bavuma’s gutsy 55, his first Test fifty on Indian soil.
"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," Rabada said.
Rabada itching to get back
This was South Africa’s first Test win in India in 15 years. Rabada rates the win at Eden Gardens, Kolkata among South Africa’s top three wins this season. Also, the veteran pacer is itching to get back into the action.
"(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," he said.
"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. 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," Rabada added.
Next Test in Guwahati
The second and final Test of the series will begin on November 22 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. South Africa captain Bavuma and head coach Shukri Conrad have already made it clear that they will be going for a series win in India. Meanwhile, there is a question mark over India captain Shubman Gill who suffered a neck injury during first Test.