India rely too much on Kohli: Rabada

Johannesburg, January 19

Virat Kohli scored 153 runs in India’s first innings at Centurion, none of the other batsmen seeming to have the mental strength to last long there. 

His knock only reinforced to South Africa that he’s the man to get in the Indian batting line-up, fast bowler Kagiso Rabada said. “I think they do rely on him,” Rabada said, but added: “But it is just like we rely on a couple of players too. I’m not saying India don’t have any quality players, they do. But it’s just a fact — Kohli scores most of their runs.”

Does he think that the Indian players were prepared enough for this very tough series? “I don’t know what’s going on in their preparation,” Rabada parried away the question. “That’s not something we want to look at really. We’ve got no concern with their preparation. We’re concerned with how we want to get them out and how we want to win against them. I’m not going to diagnose their problems.”

Rabada did say, though, that India’s pace bowlers were impressive. “Bumrah is a very good bowler, he’s already opening the bowling now. He’s done very well with the One-day stuff and now he’s doing very well in the Test matches too,” he said. “Mohammed Shami is very experienced and got some pace. Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who caused a lot of trouble in Cape Town, they’ve got good fast bowlers.”

Despite that, South Africa are up 2-0 and Rabada said they are looking for a whitewash, with the wicket here having a very green look five days before the third Test starts.  “Fast bowlers are excited to bowl at the Wanderers...” Rabada said, and added: “Obviously we want to get a whitewash against India.” Ominous words. — TNS, agencies