South Africa vs India 2018: Kagiso Rabada has a bright future, says Michael Holding
What's the story?
Former West Indies fast bowler Micheal Holding has heaped praise on young South Africa quick Kagiso Rabada by describing him as a “very good fast bowler who I think has a bright future ahead of him.”
In an interview to Wisden India, the legendary pacer spoke about Rabada, Dale Steyn and South Africa's current pace attack in general, which he labelled as being better than Australia's.
In case you didn't know..
Holding was renowned as a part of the quartet of the “Fearsome Foursome” which also included the likes of Andy Roberts, Colin Croft and Joel Garner, the four great pacers of their generation who had terrorized the best of batsmen across the world.
The now 63-year-old Holding represented the West Indies from 1975-1987 and was also christened “Whispering Death” because of an almost silent run up where his skipping feet made no noise while touching the ground, and
The heart of the matter
On being asked if he found any similarity between himself and Rabada, Holding said, “No, Rabada is Rabada. We run up differently, our bowling actions are different. The only similarity is we are both black!”
He also dwelt about the repeated injuries to Rabada's compatriot Steyn, who had just returned to the bowling line-up before being sidelined again due to a hurting left heel.
When asked about the swinging pitches presented to batsmen like that at Cape Town during the first Test between South Africa and India, Holding said, “The pitch that they batted on was very, very difficult. South Africa should have bowled [first], in my opinion. I don’t think India would have made 200 if South Africa had bowled first.”
What's next?
South Africa have two Tests left against India in the ongoing series. The tour also features six ODIs and three T20Is. Immediately after that, from March 1, they host Australia for a gruelling four-Test series, the first between the sides to include more than three Tests.