Rabada claimed six wickets in South Africa’s series-levelling victory in Johannesburg Test.
Rabada played a key role in South Africa’s series-levelling seven-wicket victory in Johannesburg Test, claiming three wickets in each innings. In particular, his second innings spell stood out as he dismissed Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Rishabh Pant in quick succession to trigger India’s collapse.
“I went up to KG and I said to him, ‘You are an immensely respected cricketer within our group and at the moment I don’t think you are conducting yourself extremely well,” Elgar said during the post-match press conference.
“I know what KG is capable of. When KG’s got his tail up, there’s no better bowler than him and I have experienced quite a few guys who have been part of this team. It was a good chat.
“I can have those chats with KG and he responds extremely well. He takes it away, he lets it process and thinks about it overnight and then he comes back the next day with a scenario for me.”
Elgar also had words with Rabada during the opening Test after the latter had gone wicketless on Day 1 but ended the match with seven scalps.
“He (Rabada) was the one who came to me and said what we spoke about: I hit the nail on the head,” Elgar said.
“KG has got that attitude, and he’s got the want and he wants to bowl and he wants to contribute in a massive way. You have to utilise that as a captain.”
According to the Proteas captain, Rabada “can sometimes be a little bit too relaxed and he needs to understand that his performance on the field and his performance in the change-room is huge.”
Coming to the Test match, South Africa defeated India by seven wickets in Johannesburg to level the series 1-1.
Chasing 240 to win, the hosts rode on skipper Elgar’s unbeaten 96 and Rassie van der Dussen’s 40 to get over the line comfortably.
The series-deciding third and final Test is due to be held in Cape Town from January 11.
(With PTI inputs)