Virat Kohli has been hailed as the best ODI and T20I batsman by South Africa pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, who is looking forward to renew the fierce rivalry he shares with the Indian skipper on the upcoming tour. 

"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," Rabada told PTI.

"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."

South Africa arrives in India this September-October for a highly challenging tour that includes a gruelling three-match Test series against the No.1 ranked side. 

There will not only be the alien conditions to tackle but also the lack of experience beneath their own camp to overcome but Rabada said the visitors still carry a lot of self-belief to dislodge the impregnable hosts in their own den. 

"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," he said. 

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

"You need to look at the transition phase in a positive way. I am glad that I am playing with guys that I have played at school at the age group level and that's fascinating for me," Rabada signed off. 

(Inputs from PTI)