NEW DELHI: Legendary South African great Jacques Kallis believes Marco Jansen's rapid evolution as a batter has put him on track to join the elite group of modern-day all-rounders.

Jansen has showcased remarkable progress in recent months, backing up his explosive half-century in the second Test against India in Guwahati with another brisk fifty in the opening ODI in Ranchi. His growing impact with the bat, Kallis feels, is transforming him into a complete force in international cricket.

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"He's had a massive year, hasn't he? He's always had the potential. It was just a matter of figuring his game out. He's obviously figured it out now and is getting a good balance," said Kallis during a special interaction with the Indian media, facilitated by SA20 on Tuesday.

'Premium all-rounder'

"He's always been magnificent with the ball. Perhaps in previous years, he didn't quite fulfil his talent with the bat. He's certainly turned that around now. He's a premium all-rounder now. I think he's going to play a massive role in the SA20," he added.

Beyond his batting heroics, Jansen also picked up 12 wickets in the two-Test series against India, playing a pivotal role in South Africa's 2-0 sweep.

"They (Sunrisers Eastern Cape) might even be able to use him in different roles, not only down the order. He's good enough to even go up the order a few times. It's an odd game to surprise the opposition. For me, he's going to be one of the standout all-rounders," said Kallis.

Kallis backs Bosch's rise as a promising all-rounder

Kallis, who scored 13,289 runs in 166 Tests with 45 centuries at an outstanding average of 55.37, also expressed confidence that Corbin Bosch could evolve into a valuable all-round asset. Bosch offered a glimpse of that potential in the Ranchi ODI, where he smashed 67 and picked up two wickets against India.

"I first laid eyes on him a few years ago, I always thought he had something special. It's taken a while for him to break through. But thankfully, he's come through. He's gained confidence. He bowls in the 140s and hits it really hard..

"He’s the type of guy who can play different roles. He's good enough to go anywhere in the order. So I'm very happy to see him coming through," he noted..

Kallis hoped that the fourth edition of the SA20, starting from December 26, will stand as a good preparation for Proteas players ahead of next year’s ICC T20 World Cup..

"Yeah, I think it's going to play a big role. I don't think it'll make the guys play any harder or anything like that, because the guys would have put the 100% effort in, in any case. But I do think it's fantastic preparation, looking forward to that World Cup.

"You know, a few guys perhaps, who are on the fringe, if they have a good performance in this tournament, you know, might get a look in and get into the squads.

Kallis had little doubt that the SA20 has ticked several boxes in the last four years, particularly in finding some young talents.

"I think what the IPL did for Indian cricket, we were hoping that a similar tournament would take off in South Africa a lot earlier. But now Graeme (Smith) got this tournament going four years ago and I think you can see where it's taken South African cricket.

"These young guys are playing in front of big crowds and in pressure situations and that can only help these guys fast forward their careers, which is exactly what's happened.

"These guys are playing under good coaches, playing with some world-class players, learning and feeding off them. So, that can only bode well for South African cricket as we've seen in the results, not only in white ball cricket, but in the longer formats as well," he signed off.

(With PTI Inputs)