‘Rabada Ka Kabada Kar De’: How Ravi Shastri Motivated Ex-India Batter In 2018 | Cricket News

Virat Kohli (left) and Ravi Shastri (PTI Photo)

India are one of the strongest sides in Test cricket, but South Africa still remains an unconquered territory for them. India have toured the rainbow nation for 9 Test series against the Proteas since 1992, but never returned victorious. Just 5 victories in 25 Tests, but no series victory in 33 years.

However, the tour of 2017-18 turned out to be a stepping stone in India’s Test history. Under the leadership of Virat Kohli, the team bounced back to avoid a series whitewash, finishing with a 63-run win. The series, which saw Jasprit Bumrah announcing himself in the world of Test cricket, also witnessed an aggressive India side that rediscovered the art of winning matches away from home.

Recently, former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel recalled a memory from India’s 2018 Johannesburg Test. Speaking on Doordarshan’s The Great Indian Cricket Show, Patel revealed how the then head coach Ravi Shastri came up with a punchy motivation line, instead of a traditional, rather technical, pep talk.

“Ravi Shastri sent me to open the Johannesburg Test match in the second innings. Usually, a coach would offer some advice about the pitch or playing conditions. But what did Mr Shastri say? He simply said, ‘Rabada ka kabada kar de’. That is exactly how he thinks… Just imagine the kind of energy and motivation he would have given to the others in the team. Nobody does it better than him,” Patel said on the show.

Parthiv Patel was referring to the January 2018 Test, a hard-fought contest on a spicy Wanderers surface where India secured a memorable 63-run win to end the series on a high. Opening the second innings, Patel made a quick 16, setting the tone for India’s gritty batting effort. Their total of 247 proved challenging on a pitch offering sharp pace and bounce.

Mohammed Shami spearheaded the bowling attack with precision and aggression, supported ably by his fellow pacers, as India dismantled South Africa’s chase. The victory stood out as a testament to India’s resilience and adaptability in testing overseas conditions.