IND vs SA: Kagiso Rabada Looks Forward To Battle Against Virat Kohli In Centurion Test

South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada said that he is looking forward to the battle against Virat Kohli during IND vs SA 1st Test. Kagiso Rabada also termed him a great player.

Kagiso Rabada makes a comeback to the South Africa team for the Test series against India. The right-arm pacer is part of South Africa’s playing 11 in the 1st Test, which began at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Tuesday, December 26.

India vs South Africa Test series will witness two matches. Rohit Sharma has returned to lead India in the series after missing the ODI and T20I series. Temba Bavuma is the captain of South Africa in the series.

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It’s A Battle That I Look Forward To: Kagiso Rabada On Facing Virat Kohli

While speaking to Star Sports ahead of India vs South Africa 1st Test, Proteas speedster Kagiso Rabada said that he is looking forward to the battle against Virat Kohli in the Test series.

“It’s always great playing against great players. Virat is a great player. He’s had quite some success against us, but at the same time, we’ve had success against him. It’s a battle that I look forward to always, when you measure yourself up against the best. That’s the reason why you play,” Kagiso Rabada said.

Virat Kohli Knows His Test Cricket Game: Keshav Maharaj

South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj said that Virat Kohli knows his Test cricket game very well.

“He knows his Test cricket game. He scored runs for numerous amount of years and the amount of centuries he has got. It’s just about making sure that you can be better than him on the day”, the left-arm spinner said.

He also added that averaging 50-plus after playing over 100 Tests is a big achievement for any batsman that doesn’t come overnight.

“Someone of his caliber, it’s a best way to gauge yourself in terms of where you are with your game. Someone doesn’t just average 50 overnight playing over 100 Test matches for the country,” Maharaj furter said.

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Virat Kohli has had a marvelous form across all three formats this year. Notably, he is the leading run-getter for the team in Tests in 2023. The right-handed batter has mustered 557 runs across 10 innings with 2 centuries and 1 fifty.

In the ICC World Cup 2023, Virat Kohli finished as the highest run-getter in the tournament. He broke the record for most runs across by a player in an ODI World Cup and won the Player of the Series award for his impeccable batting show.

South Africa Opt To Bat First In IND vs SA 1st Test

Meanwhile, South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first in IND vs SA 1st Test. India have picked 4 seamers in the playing 11 in the form of Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. The latter made his Test debut in the match.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja could not take part in the match due to a back spasm. In his absence, Ravichandran Ashwin was picked in the playing 11. India vs South Africa Test series will observe two matches.