Kagiso Rabada dismisses Proteas' warm-up woes with the ball ahead of T20 World Cup

When South Africa conceded way over 200 runs in their warm-up match against India in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday a sense of concern rippled through the fanbase regarding the potency of the bowling attack.

During India's innings, which saw the co-hosts post 240/6, the Proteas bowlers at times appeared to lack a clear plan as the Indian top order, led by a blistering 20-ball fifty from Ishan Kishan, teed off.

However, experienced fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has moved to calm those fears. Speaking yesterday, Rabada reminded the public that while the 30-run defeat offered valuable match practice, warm-up fixtures are rarely a true reflection of a team's tournament tactics.

"If you had to look at the warm-up game, everyone had a chance to bowl in the powerplay. So, it's not necessarily how we would go about it," Rabada told reporters.

"We weren't trying to really be strategic. It was just more for the individual players to kind of get a feel of what they wanted to do and announce themselves into the tournament."

The 30-year-old also offered a nuanced perspective on the conditions. While the Navi Mumbai fixture saw a combined 450 runs scored on a flat deck, Rabada — a veteran of every T20 World Cup since 2016 — insists that ICC events typically offer a more balanced contest between bat and ball.

"It's India; there are small grounds, and the ball skids on. When the dew comes, it makes it even worse," said Rabada.

"But in ICC events, from what I've seen, not all games will be high-scoring. You'll get your venues that will be high-scoring from time to time, but I think there will be something for the bowlers every now and then."

The decision to select six specialist fast bowlers for a subcontinental tournament has drawn scrutiny, particularly after the seamers struggled for rhythm in the warm-ups. However, Rabada revealed that the internal belief in the squad remains high, with the pace battery expected to complement a spin department led by Keshav Maharaj and George Linde.

"The team that we've chosen has felt to cover all bases, whether it's pace or spin," Rabada added.

"It's about understanding how we are going to combine that with the slower bowling that we've got and use that to the best effect. George and Kesh have been doing really well, Aiden as well. It's just about putting that final product together."

South Africa are scheduled to get their campaign underway against Canada at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Monday, with the match set to start at 3.30 pm SA time.