Kagiso Rabada says there is no need for concern over Hashim Amla’s batting slump.

The 33-year-old was dismissed for a duck in his second innings by Sri Lanka speedster Suranga Lakmal, which took Amla’s run without a fifty to 10 innings. During his drought, his average has dropped below 50, although he has teased us with scores of 45, 47 and 48.

This has raised concerns among supporters some of whom have actually called for the  dropping of the Proteas’ most senior player. With return of former skipper AB de Villiers imminent, some believe that Amla should be the one to make way.

Despite his recent drop in form, we can’t ignore Amla’s amazing record. He has 7 665 runs to his name at an average of 49.45 including 25 centuries and 31 fifties and is fourth on the all-time SA batsmen list.

Rabada however, remained calm when questioned in a press conference about Amla’s dip in form. ‘He’s not a robot,’ he said. ‘He’s not going to play well all the time. Hashim is a great player and he knows what to do to get back to form.

‘We’ve got other players who can step up, although we do rely on him. He’s one of the key players in our team because of what he’s done in the past and his leadership, experience and the type of person that he is.

‘You don’t do so well for so long by fluke, so he knows what to do to get back.’

Amla is set to play his 100th Test match in the third Test against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg, starting on January 12.

Photo: Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images