Kagiso Rabada has been given the mandate to chase wickets for South Africa, and he did just that on the first day of their two-Test series against India at Centurion Park near Pretoria on Tuesday.
The new-ball bowler produced outstanding figures of 5-44 in 17 overs as he reduced India to 208-8 when bad light followed by rain stopped play after South Africa won the toss.
It was Rabada’s 14th five-wicket haul in his 61st Test and his fourth in eight Tests at Centurion, but his first against India.
Photo: AFP
“[Captain] Temba [Bavuma] goes with his gut feel as to what the best way to get a wicket is and there is always that expectation on me,” Rabada said. “It’s my job, and all I want to do is take wickets. It’s not a heavy burden for me.”
“I was pretty happy with the way I bowled. What I try to do on any pitch is just put the ball in the right area over and over again, but sometimes you can bowl in the right area and not be so successful,” he said. “Today was my day.”
“I’ve been pretty focused in my training and the ball has been coming out nicely, my body and mind have felt good. So I came into the Test quite confident,” Radaba said.
India’s K.L. Rahul made 101 before his team were bowled out for 245 on the second day of the Test yesterday.
“K.L. was doing what he always does,” India batting coach Vikram Rathore said. “Every time we are in a tough situation, he’s the one who handles it very well. He had a very clear game plan and he defended the right balls.”
“We would love to have more wickets in hand, but we have runs on the board and we have done reasonably well,” Rathore said.
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