South Africa vs India: Lalchand Rajput tips Rabada to be the big test for team India

Former Indian team manager Lalchand Rajput has cautioned the Indian team to be wary of the threats that South African speedster could produce in the coming months. Team India is set to tour South Africa for 3 Tests, 6 ODIs, and 3 T20Is. As the build to the series is intensifying, a lot of talk is about the comeback pacer Dale Steyn.

But, if Lalchand Rajput is to be believed, then the actual threat for the Indian team would be Kagiso Rabada. As per the recent quotes in Mid Day, he cited that Rabada had excelled in the Indian conditions when the Proteas had toured India a season ago. If he could trouble the Indian batsmen on flat decks, then he surely would be a big threat in home conditions.

“Rabada is a very matured bowler now. Even in India (during the 2015-16 series), he bowled really well on flat wickets. On helpful pitches, he will be dangerous. A lot of people are saying that Steyn will be dangerous, but he is making a comeback after a long injury lay off. He has to get his rhythm right. I feel Rabada (aged 22) will test the Indian batsmen along with Philander and (Morne) Morkel,” Lalchand Rajput told mid-day.

On South African conditions

Speaking about the adjustments that the players need to do on South African wickets, Lalchand Rajput noted that the backfoot shots become very important on bouncy decks. He remarked that if the Indian batsmen succeed in getting runs off the backfoot, then the opposition bowlers will get under some pressure.

“There has to be a little bit of adjustment. On a bouncy wicket, you have got to play your shots and not get bogged down by just blocking. Back foot shots will be important. If we can get runs off the back foot, then the South African bowling will be really tested. I don’t think they will bowl too full, so, the cut and pull shot will be crucial,” he quoted.

On team combinations

Commenting on the ideal team combinations, Rajput reckoned that the team should play four specialist bowlers and a fast bowling all-rounder in Hardik Pandya. This would give them five bowlers in the lineup.

“I would go with four bowlers and a bowling all-rounder in Hardik Pandya. I would have three medium pacers, a spinner and Pandya. So, five bowlers, five batsmen and a wicketkeeper this would be my strategy,” Rajput conceded.

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