NEW DELHI: South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who missed the opening Test against India due to a rib injury, lavished praise on his team’s remarkable ability to “find a way to win” regardless of injuries or absences. The Proteas stunned India by 30 runs inside three days at the Eden Gardens, defending a modest 124-run target to claim their first Test win on Indian soil in 15 years and take a decisive 1–0 lead in the two-match series.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Rabada, speaking in a video shared by Cricket South Africa, said the team’s belief in its depth has been a defining trait of their season.
“No matter who sits out, we can still find a way to win. Temba has been crucial for us, but he hasn’t played every game. I haven’t played this game,” Rabada said, referring to skipper Temba Bavuma, who returned after missing the Pakistan series.“That doesn’t matter. Whoever is gonna get out on the field, we believe that they can do the job.”The visitors dominated India on a dry, tricky wicket that offered uneven bounce and sharp turn. Rabada applauded the collective effort, highlighting crucial individual performances — particularly Bavuma’s gritty 55 in the second innings, which set up a defendable total for the bowlers.“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… that’s the hallmark of what this team is made of,” Rabada said.The 30-year-old fast bowler, who underwent multiple scans before the Test, remains uncertain for the second match starting November 22 in Guwahati.Rabada called the Kolkata win one of South Africa’s finest in recent years.“Definitely right up there… top three,” he said. “It was typical Test cricket — the ebbs and flows… an emotional roller coaster. I’m glad we finished on the right side.”
