Ex-India opener Wasim Jaffer has cautioned the team about the dangers of Kagiso Rabada. With the Test series kicking off this Sunday, Jaffer highlighted Rabada as the player Indian batters should fear most, noting that while South Africa has a solid pace battery, Rabada is their standout star.
It's certain that Rabada will cause problems for the Indian batting order. While the Proteas boast significant pace and quality in their bowling, Jaffer observed that their batting strength has dipped since the retirement of greats like Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers. Nevertheless, he believes the tour will remain a steep challenge for India.
With 24 wickets against India at an average of 29.16 in nine Tests, Rabada is expected to lead the South African charge. The burden on him increases because Anrich Nortje, whose 2021 IPL form was menacing, has been sidelined by a recurring injury.
Jaffer also recognized the strength of India's own pace attack, mentioning that the veteran presence of Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah will be crucial for staying in the game. He further suggested that if Virat Kohli's side can post a total exceeding 400 runs, a victory is well within their reach.
Wrapping up his analysis, Jaffer pointed to Rishabh Pant as the X-factor. He believes a strong performance from Pant—staying at the crease for 60 to 90 minutes—could shift the momentum of a match. Ultimately, he stressed that team cohesion and collective contributions are essential for India to secure their first-ever series win in South Africa.