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Kagiso Rabada praises South Africa’s resilience after their 30-run Test win over India in Kolkata, highlighting key contributions from Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram and Marco Jansen.
South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada (AP)
South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, who missed the first Test against India due to a rib injury, is impressed by his team’s ability to rebound from setbacks and “find a way to win” regardless of who is absent.
The reigning World Test Championship winners secured a 30-run victory within three days against India in the opening Test, successfully defending a modest 123 on Sunday. This win, their first on Indian soil in 15 years, gave them an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
“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.
Pitch-side reactions from Eden Gardens! 🎙️Kagiso Rabada reflects on a monumental victory in the opening Test match of the series. 🇿🇦🔥 pic.twitter.com/chRTcylowf
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) November 17, 2025
Bavuma returned to the playing XI after missing their preceding two Tests in Pakistan, where South Africa managed to draw the series 1-1.
“That doesn’t matter. Whoever gets out on the field, we believe that they can do the job,” Rabada added.
The visitors outperformed the hosts on a dry wicket with variable bounce and turn. Rabada praised South Africa’s individual performances, including skipper Bavuma’s match-winning 55 in the second innings, which provided their bowlers with a target to defend.
“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 contributed, and that’s the hallmark of what this team is made of,” Rabada said.
It remains uncertain if Rabada, who underwent multiple scans before the first Test, will be available for the second Test to be played in Guwahati from November 22-26.
One Of The Best Wins
Rabada stated that the victory in the low-scoring thriller at Kolkata ranks among the top three wins for South Africa this season.
“(The victory is) definitely right up there. With the types of wins 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… 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 get out there. I don’t know what to say. It’s just, like, an emotional roller coaster, and I’m glad we finished on the right side,” Rabada concluded.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
Kolkata [Calcutta], India, India
November 17, 2025, 14:47 IST
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