Kagiso Rabada, the South Africa fast bowler has praised debutant pacer Marco Jansen stating that the latter has justified his selection in the team in the ongoing first Test against India.
India needs six wickets to win the first Test against South Africa as the match enters the final day at SuperSport Park, Centurion. Marco Jansen scalped four wickets in the Indian second innings and gave the visitors a tough fight.
Kagiso Rabada: Marco Jansen Is A Phenomenal Talent And Is An Awkward Customer To Face
Marco Jansen enjoyed an impressive outing in his debut game against India, taking 5 wickets across the two innings in Centurion. The left-arm pacer took four of them in the second innings as India was bowled out on 174. With his five-wicket haul in the Test, Marco Jansen joined a legendary list of Proteas bowlers which include Alan Donald, Lance Klusener, and Vernon Philander among others who have achieved a similar feat on their debut.
Marco Jansen had 4/55 in 13.3 overs to end with figures of 5/124 in his debut Test match which included the prized scalp of Virat Kohli. Marco Jansen played in two matches picking 2 scalps for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2021 before his debut for South Africa. In 2017 and 2019, Marco Jansen travelled to India as a member of South Africa’s A-side.
“He is a phenomenal talent. He is an awkward customer to face. There is swing, bounce and pace coming at you. In the (Indian) second innings, he justified his selection…he seems like he wants to learn. He is a hard worker. He is really keen on doing well for his team and himself,” said Rabada in the press conference after the end of Day Four’s play.
The South African record for most wickets on debut is held by Alf Hall, who took 11 wickets across both innings in 1923. Before Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla had taken more than five wickets on debut (in 2020) during the Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka at the same venue.
Earlier, fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took 4-42 as well, as the duo helped South Africa bowl India out for 174 in their second innings but the tourists set an imposing victory target of 305 an hour before tea on day four of the first test. Apart from Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi was also among the wickets in the second innings as he finished with figures of 2/31 after his 6 wicket haul in India’s 1st innings.
Kagiso Rabada Is Optimistic And Praised Skipper Dean Elgar Who Is Unbeaten On 52
The pacer Kagiso Rabada said that he is hopeful that Proteas can still win the game despite being reduced to 94 for 4 in a chase of 305 runs.
“Definitely. we have just got to show belief. Strategize overnight and see how to approach this. Every sportsman has got to believe,” said Rabada.
Kagiso Rabada further hailed his skipper Dean Elgar and said that he has been the best person for the team.
“Dean is doing his best for his team, his country and himself. He is leading from the front. He has done it countless times,” said Rabada.
Coming to the match, after India was folded in the second session on Wednesday, 40.5 overs were bowled with South Africa losing four wickets in the tricky phase. At stumps, the Proteas went into the dugout clearly struggling at 94/4 with a further 211 runs required to win the 1st Test with six more wickets in the bag. For hosts captain, Dean Elgar is currently unbeaten on the crease on 52 as the Test goes into the final day.