NEW DELHI: South Africa quick Kagiso Rabada, who missed the opening Test against India with a rib injury, has praised his team’s remarkable ability to “find a way to win” regardless of injuries or absences. The Proteas stunned India by 30 runs over three days at the Eden Gardens, defending a modest target of 124 runs 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. SIGN UP NOW!Speaking in a video shared by Cricket South Africa, Rabada said the team’s belief in its depth has been a defining feature of their season.
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“No matter who is sitting, we can still find a way to win. Temba was key for us but he didn’t play every game. I didn’t play this game,” Rabada said, referring to captain Temba Bavuma, who returned after missing the Pakistan series.“It doesn’t matter. Whoever gets on the field, we believe they can get the job done.”The visitors dominated India on a dry, tricky wicket that offered uneven bounce and sharp turn. Rabada applauded the collective effort and highlighted key individual performances – particularly Bavuma’s 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, Bosch (Corbin Bosch) in crucial moments. They all stepped up … that’s the hallmark of what this team is made of,” Rabada said.The 30-year-old fast bowler, who underwent several scans ahead of the Test, remains uncertain for the second match starting on November 22 in Guwahati.Rabada described the victory in Kolkata as one of South Africa’s best in recent years.“Definitely up there… top three,” he said. “It was typical Test cricket – ebb and flow… an emotional rollercoaster. I’m glad we ended up on the right side.”
