‘Rabada ka kabada kar de’: Ravi Shastri’s One-Liner That Motivated India in Johannesburg Test

Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has revealed a gem of a story about Ravi Shastri’s unique motivational style from the 2018 Johannesburg Test.

Speaking on Doordarshan’s The Great Indian Cricket Show, Patel recalled how the then India head coach used his trademark swagger and humour to charge up the dressing room before the team went out to bat.

Before walking out to open the second innings at the Wanderers, Patel said Shastri skipped all technical advice and instead delivered just one line, “Rabada ka kabada kar de.”

The line, directed at Kagiso Rabada, was Shastri’s way of cutting through the tension and filling his players with confidence on a tough, bouncy pitch.

“Usually, a coach talks about conditions or shot selection. But Ravi Shastri said none of that,” Patel said on the show. “He just said, ‘Rabada ka kabada kar de.’ That’s how he thinks, simple, fearless, and full of energy. Just imagine the kind of boost he gave everyone in the dressing room. Nobody does it like him.”

The 2018 Johannesburg Test was one of India’s most memorable overseas wins under Virat Kohli’s captaincy.

On a spicy surface, India defended 247 runs to seal a 63-run victory. Patel opened the innings and played a quick 16 before India’s bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami, ripped through South Africa’s batting.