‘Ro-Ko Effect’ Is Back: Prince Says de Kock Energising South Africa Squad

South Africa enter the ODI series against India with a clear sense of direction—one shaped heavily by the presence of Quinton de Kock.

Batting coach Ashwell Prince believes de Kock offers the same stabilising influence for South Africa that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli provide India, a comparison that forms the core of the visitors’ growing confidence ahead of the first ODI in Ranchi on November 30.

At the pre-match press conference, Prince underlined how de Kock’s experience elevates the mood and maturity of the squad, particularly its younger members. “He’s massive for us,” Prince said. “Just like Rohit and Virat strengthen India, Quinny gives us that same level of confidence. The way he performed in Pakistan showed his quality. For our young left-handers and emerging batters, spending time with him—whether in the dressing room or out in the middle—does wonders.”

De Kock enters the India series in outstanding form, having hammered 239 runs in three ODIs against Pakistan, including an unbeaten 123 and composed knocks of 53 and 63. His presence at the top brings stability to a batting lineup already running hot.

With Matthew Bretzke, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Dewald Brevis and Ryan Rickelton all contributing consistently, South Africa’s batting unit poses a formidable challenge to India’s relatively inexperienced pace attack of Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh.

India, still absorbing the impact of their recent Test series defeat, will rely heavily on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to steady their own campaign. Their face-off with de Kock adds an extra layer of intrigue to what promises to be a fiercely contested ODI opener in Ranchi.