Virat Kohli vs Kagiso Rabada Contest Excites Quinton De Kock Ahead Of 2nd T20I

Virat Kohli will look to put his best foot forward against Kagiso Rabada when India resume their home season against South Africa, in the second T20 International (T20I) of the three-match series in Mohali on Wednesday. Newly appointed South Africa T20I captain Quinton de Kock, who had impressed with the willow in India during the Indian Premier League, termed it a "good contest" of bat and ball between the two cricketers. "They both are good players in their own way. It will be a good contest. They like being very positive in the way they play," Quinton de Kock said on Tuesday.

De Kock said the captaincy role could be a double-edged sword but he is not thinking too much about it.

De Kock is one of the senior players in this new-look team and has been handed captaincy in the absence of Faf du Plessis as the management is looking to groom him ahead of the T20 World Cup next year.

"Not too concerned to be honest. It is a new stepping stone in my career, gives me extra responsibility. Not sure if it would affect me negatively or positively," said the wicket-keeper batsman.

The IPL regular de Kock, who won the final with Mumbai Indians earlier this year, is familiar with the conditions in India.

Asked if he is prepared to play the mentor's role in the team, like du Plessis and Ab de Villiers played when he burst on to the scene, de Kock said: "I think they (Faf and ABD) gave me lots of room to play the way I wanted to. I don't see it why that would change without them being here.

"Even they in their career have had to do the same thing we are doing. So, we will take it as it comes. In the leadership group in the team we have had a chat (on grooming the youngsters). It is under control so far but we are still learning as part of a young leadership group." De Kock said some youngsters could get a longer rope while some may not.

"I not going to put a number on it. For some it could be one, for some it could be 10, so can't really say."

It has effectively become a two-match series with the series opener in Dharamsala being washed out. "It is a bit of a negative," said de Kock.

"We would like to have played three games against the Indian team. Leading into the World Cup, to lose out on a game in different conditions, it is not ideal but it is what it is."

After the IPL final, de Kock had made an interesting comment, calling the triumph with Mumbai Indies the biggest achievement of his career. He still feels the same on the subject.

"It is the biggest thing I have won so far. What can I say. If we win a World Cup that would be the biggest achievement. IPL final is a big achievement for any cricketer. As cricketers we want to be part of IPL finals and World Cup finals. Everyone has opinion. My opinion is mine. It is the biggest thing I have achieved so far."

(With PTI inputs)

Topics mentioned in this article

India Cricket Team South Africa Cricket Team Virat Kohli Quinton de Kock India vs South Africa, 2019 Cricket India vs South Africa, 2nd T20I