Kagiso Rabada: The Rise of South Africa’s Pace Artist
1. Introduction
Kagiso Rabada, who’s often rated as one among the best fast bowlers in the contemporary world, definitely came out as an actual quick to bowl at speeds between 140-150 km/h. His skill of bowling fast and being accurate has made him a wonderful asset to South Africa across formats.
He rose quickly to international prominence, becoming an almost guaranteed future leader of the South African bowling attack before even approaching his 21st birthday. His raw pace combined with his work ethic and stamina has greatly secured him as one of South Africa’s go-to bowlers across all conditions.
2. Early Career and Breakthrough
The recognition Rabada received came about when he led the South Africans to win in the Under-19 World Cup 2014. On this occasion, he bowled the semi-finals against Australia, taking 6 for 25, which allowed South Africa to win their first Under-19 World Cup of their history, while also being the top wicket-taker.
Rabada’s Performance
This great performance did not go unnoticed, and Rabada soon found himself bagging a franchise contract with the Lions three months later, thus starting his professional career. By the end of 2014, Rabada was already included in South Africa’s national ODI and Test squads, which shows just how quickly he took to impressing the selectors.
He played his first international game of T20Is against Australia in November 2014. Rabada’s explosive pace with the ball and his ability to pick wickets marked him from the very start as a future gem.
3. Heroics in Domestic Cricket- Breaking Records
In the longer version of the game, Rabada’s talents were passed forward quite early in 2015 when he registered sheer sensational bowling figures of 14 for 105 to break up the South African record and challenge the legendary fast bowler Dale Steyn, who then held the record. It made Rabada an unenviable force in South African domestic cricket.
He ended the domestic season by finding himself among the best wicket-takers in the Sun foil Series, thereby establishing himself as one of the brightest fast bowlers in the history of the game.
4. International Debut: Hat-Trick on ODI Debut
Rabada carried his immense form into the international scene. While on tour with South Africa to Bangladesh in 2015, Rabada created history as he took a hat-trick on his ODI debut. He became the second player ever to achieve such a feat. The bowling figures of 6 for 16 remain the best bowling figures by any player on ODI debut.
He then played in the home series against New Zealand and topped the ODI wicket-taker’s list during a tour of India during 2015. There, he shared the top position with Dale Steyn after they both picked up ten wickets each. Injuries to Steyn, Morne Morkel, and Vernon Philander increased Rabada’s workload in South Africa’s bowling attack. Despite the challenging conditions in India, Rabada proved to be a gritty and determined player, showing that he had the stamina too, and also the test-cricket mindset.
5. South Africa’s New Star Bowler
With potential growing into becoming a future leader of the South African attack, it was during a home series against England back in 2016, where Rabada took upon the onus to lead the South African attack pace with Steyn and Philander being injured. It was in the last Test wherein he was the youngest South African to take 10 wickets in a match and ended with match figures of 13 for 144. Even as the series went down the drain for South Africa, it was Rabada who had some hope left in the side.
He was experiencing playing multiple formats for the first time, as he played ODIs and T20Is against England, followed by the series against Australia and an appearance in the 2016 ICC World T20.
6. The IPL Journey
Rabada’s success in international cricket inevitably led to IPL teams scouting him out. In 2017, the then 21-year-old was sold to the Delhi Daredevils, now Capitals, for INR 5 crore. In his debut season, Rabada played in six games and claimed the same number of wickets.
The only low was that Rabada could not play the 2018 IPL completely as he was injured. However, he was back in 2019 when Delhi Capitals retained him for INR 4.2 crores. He stamped his authority as one of the most brilliant fast bowlers in the tournament when he took 25 wickets from 12 matches that season.
2020 was Rabada at his best – one of the highest wicket-takers of the year with 30 wickets. It won Delhi Capitals a final. His ability to bowl at any stage of the game, whether during the powerplay or death overs, made him probably the most feared bowler in the IPL.
Delhi released Rabada before the 2022 IPL mega auction, and Punjab Kings snatched him away for a whopping INR 9.25 crore. In Rabada’s first season with the Kings, he claimed 23 wickets, but the team didn’t make it to the playoffs.
He played only six games in the 2023 season due to injury and rotation. Nevertheless, Rabada is a valued asset of Punjab Kings’ bowling arsenal and will be retained for the 2024 season.
7. Kagiso Rabada’s Style and Impact
Rabada bowls at a high speed consistently, which with lethal accuracy, makes him among the best in the world today. He can swing the old ball both ways and is equally adept at getting it reverse swinged back into the hands of his team.
His wicket-taking ability at the right time has made him a match-winner for South Africa across formats. Rabada is also somebody who brings the competitive spirit to the field and often leads by example with his aggressive and passionate approach toward the game.
8. Milestones and Records
300 Test wickets: By the end of 2024, Rabada had crossed the milestone of 300 Test wickets, which makes him one of the few South African bowlers to reach this milestone.
Plenty of seasons as IPL’s top wicket-taker: Rabada has been one of the top performers in the IPL. He had been the leading wicket-taker in the 2020 season. He has continued being the top wicket-taker in other seasons as well.
9. Conclusion
It is, therefore not a surprise that Kagiso Rabada, who made his mark at the Under-19 level, evolved rapidly and now ranks among the world’s best fast bowlers. Rabada represents South Africa as well as continues to be a sensational addition to the IPL team he plays for.
This is when the role of Rabada becomes even more crucial as he enters into the peak years of his cricketing career. Fans will eagerly await many more records and achievements from this extraordinary cricketer.
