Why Rabada absence didnt matter for South Africa in Kolkata Test

New Delhi: South Africa's ability to bounce back from absence of star players in key matches led to their victory in the first Test against India.

The Proteas were without their premier pacer Kagiso Rabada in Kolkata but managed to register a 30-run win on a turning track at Eden Gardens inside three days.

It was the reigning World Test Champions' first win in a Test in India in 15 years, which gave them an unsurpassable 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

South Africa have often battled odds and punched above their weight to win the WTC and have continued in the same vein in this cycle too, with a 1-1 draw in Pakistan.

They are now eyeing their first Test series in India in 25 years and Rabada pointed to their fighting spirit for being in an advantageous situation.

"No matter who sits out, we can still find a way to win. (Skipper) Temba (Bavuma) has been crucial for us, but he hasn't played every game. I haven't played this game," Rabada said in a Cricket South Africa video.

Bavuma was absent from SA"s two Test series in Pakistan and returned to lead them in Kolkata, scoring the only half century in a low-scoring contest.

"We had a good start in the first innings with Aiden (Markram) and (Ryan) Rickelton. They set the tone. Marco (Jansen) stood up, Boschi (Corbin Bosch) stood up at crucial times. Everyone chipped in and really, that's the hallmark of what this team is made of," Rabada said.

Rabada underwent multiple scans before the first Test, and is expected to be available for the second Test in Guwahati from November 22-26.

The right-armer said picked their victory at Eden to be among the top three wins for South Africa this season

"(The victory is) definitely right up there. With the types of wins that we've had this season, it's hard to say, because we've had some pretty epic wins, but this one is definitely (in the) top three," he said.

"That was typical Test cricket (contest)… I mean, just the ebbs and flows of the game. We found ourselves on the back foot, and then somehow managed to finish on the front foot.

"It was quite nerve-wracking on the side, and I'm just itching to want to get out. I don't know what to say. It's just... it's just, like, an emotional roller coaster, and I'm glad that we finished on the right side," Rabada added.