Smith or Kohli? Kagiso Rabada names \'best batsman of the world\'

New Delhi: South Africa's pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, who is regarded as one of the best bowlers of the modern era has now picked the best batsman of the world.

“Virat Kohli has proven that he is the best batsman in white-ball format. He is already regarded as a great of the game with some pedigree,” Rabada told PTI in an exclusive interview.

"I am really looking at the next couple of years. It's a challenge for us, it's a journey. The group has belief in its abilities and we need to see how we fare on this tour of India," said the 24-year-old.

"Kohli has proven that he is the best batsman in white-ball format. He is already regarded as a great of the game with some pedigree. Playing him is an opportunity to test yourself as a player," he further added.

Despite the lack of experience, Rabada said there is a belief that the visitors can win against the formidable hosts.

"There will be a few debuts. Players who have not played against an Indian team, especially such good quality. We are going to see where we are at here. We believe we are going to win. It's exciting and we are going to have fun," he exuded confidence.

One of the biggest challenges for the likes of Anrich Nortje, Junior Dala, Beuran Hendricks and Andile Phehlukwayo would be to devise a strategy to get rival captain Virat Kohi out.

"I think he is a fighter and at the end of the day, we would like to go and express ourselves and not have any fear. Have fun, play hard and just enjoy the battle with the world's best batter," was Rabada's simple advice for the rookies in the team.

The Proteas will be playing three T20s starting September 15 followed by three Tests against India. They arrived with a relatively young team in which Rabada and skipper Quinton De Kock are the two most experienced players.

Just as Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson and Joe Root form the "Fab Four" of world batting, Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer are considered the terrific trio with the ball.

"I mean it's good. I have always admired watching other fast bowlers and it's healthy competition, it's good that they (Bumrah and Archer) are around," he said.

"Like I said, the natural competition is healthy. It's a spectacle to see someone running in and bowling rockets. A great spell with skill and execution is all you want to see," he concluded.