Looking forward to the challenge that the next two years pose, says Kagiso Rabada

South Africa will kick off their new season against India in the first T20I on September the 15th after having failed to achieve much success of late. They have been slipping down the rankings constantly before a dismal World Cup campaign saw them finish a lowly seventh. This has led to the Proteas attempting to incorporate budding youngsters and emerging prospects in the senior squad.

"I am really looking at the next couple of years. It's a challenge for us, it's a journey. The group has belief in its abilities and we need to see how we fare on this tour of India," Kagiso Rabada was quoted saying to PTI by TOI.

They will be playing three T20Is and as many Tests against the hosts, who sit at the top in the ICC rankings in red-ball cricket. However, in the game’s shortest format, the Proteas are ranked a spot above India at number three.

"The goal is to compare ourselves with the best. India has been a successful team over the years. There's been some changes and our team is now a lot younger. It's a challenge for those who haven't played here earlier," Rabada added.

The pace bowler will be spearheading his team’s bowling attack, with Dale Steyn absent from the team. After Quinton de Kock, the 24-year-old is the team’s most experienced player, with regular skipper Faf du Plessis unavailable and the duo of Imran Tahir and Hashim Amla having hung up their boots.

"There will be a few debuts. Players who have not played against an Indian team, especially such good quality. We are going to see where we are at here. We believe we are going to win. It’s exciting and we are going to have fun," a confident Rabada claimed.

The biggest challenge for the bowling unit, comprising of the likes of Anrich Nortje, Junior Dala, Beuran Hendricks and Andile Phehlukwayo, will be to devise a successful strategy to get the Indian skipper out before he can do any damage. If he unleashes his full potential, the 30-year-old has the ability to win matches single-handedly regardless of the situation. 

"Virat Kohli has proven that he is the best batsman in white-ball format. He is already regarded as a great of the game with some pedigree. Playing him is an opportunity to test yourself as a player. I think he is a fighter and at the end of the day, we would like to go and express ourselves and not have any fear. Have fun, play hard and just enjoy the battle with the world's best batter," Rabada said focusing on the silver lining.

The series will also see him go against Jasprit Bumrah, who along with Jofra Archer are turning out to be the fast bowler’s biggest threats in terms of competition.

"I mean it's good. I have always admired watching other fast bowlers and it's healthy competition, it's good that they (Bumrah and Archer) are around. Like I said, the natural competition is healthy. It's a spectacle to see someone running in and bowling rockets. A great spell with skill and execution is all you want to see," he signed off.

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