Kagiso Rabada feels Marco Jansen has justified his Proteas selection

South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada believes that Marco Jansen has justified his selection after a rough start to his debut Test.

Jansen was picked apart at times in India’s first innings and wasn’t helped by a dropped catch that Quinton de Kock would have snaffled nine times out of ten.

The leader of the Proteas attack feels that he made up for a wayward start with a strong performance on day four.

Kagiso Rabada backs Marco Jansen

Jansen returned figures of 4 for 55 as India were bowled out for 174, keeping South Africa just about in the game.

“He is a phenomenal talent. He is an awkward customer to face. There is swing, bounce and pace coming at you,” Rabada told a press conference on Wednesday.

“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.”

South Africa lost four wickets before the close of play on day three but Rabada insists they still believe they can win if they rally around skipper Dean Elgar.

“Definitely. we have just got to show belief. Strategise overnight and see how to approach this. Every sportsman has got to believe,” Rabada said when asked whether South Africa can still win the first Test.

Rabada was full of praise for the skipper whose stubborn unbeaten 52 kept South Africa from collapsing completely on day four.

“Dean is doing his best for his team, his country and himself. He is leading from the front. He has done it countless times,” Rabada said of his captain.

India attack world-class

Rabada praised the India seamers who have put their team in charge of the Test but hitting their straps early in the match.

“They got some quality bowlers. (Mohammed) Shami and (Jasprit) Bumrah are very experienced and (Mohd) Siraj has been bowling well in the recent past,” he said.

“They have a good attack, they got pace and they have got skills. They are showing why they are a good attack.”

Rabada insisted that the Proteas wouldn’t be playing for a rain interruption but revealed that the weather was a point of discussion.

“Yeah, there have been chats on when it is going to rain or when it is not going to…It is a bit of an uncontrollable.”