Kagiso Rabada injury a blessing in disguise for South Africa in IND Tests; Analysis explains why

Kagiso Rabada ruled out of IND vs SA 1st Test [Source: AFP]

Experienced South African pacer Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the first Test against India at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The right-arm pacer has picked up a rib injury, which, according to captain Temba Bavuma, has sidelined him from the opening encounter of the two-match series. 

Considering Kagiso Rabada's stature as a potent fast bowler, his injury may seem a huge blow to the Proteas. However, our analysis reveals why South Africa shouldn't be bothered by the unavailability of their premier fast bowler. 

Stats reveal Rabada's ineffectiveness in Tests in India

(Kagiso Rabada is a proven failure in Tests on IND soil)

As evidenced by the above stats, Kagiso Rabada has managed only nine wickets across as many innings across six Test matches that he has played in India. While he has conceded 44 runs to pick up a wicket, Rabada has bowled more than 15 overs to provide a breakthrough on Indian soil. 

In fact, India and Pakistan are the only countries where Kagiso Rabada's bowling average in Test cricket exceeds 40. South Africa's previous series against Pakistan also witnessed an underwhelming performance from Rabada, who managed only four wickets at a horrendous average of 46.75 and a strike rate of 84. These facts suggest that the right-arm speedster has failed to prove his mettle in Indian conditions. 

Reasons why Rabada has middling Test numbers in India

Spin friendly nature of Indian wickets

The pitches in India are generally suited to spin bowling. Statistically, spinners have been much more successful than fast bowlers in Indian conditions, having scalped 56.42 per cent of the total wickets. So, the lack of assistance for fast bowlers is a primary reason why Rabada hasn't performed extraordinarily on Indian soil. 

Failure to adapt, no reverse swing in arsenal

Additionally, Kagiso Rabada, being primarily a seam bowler, has focused on hitting the pitch with an upright seam to generate movement off the deck. Fast bowlers like James Anderson and Dale Steyn, who had the art of reverse swing in their arsenal, retired with excellent figures in India. 

Further, seam bowlers like Jason Gillespie and Glenn McGrath used their tall physique and the unpredictable bounce on Indian wickets to their advantage, proving themselves as deadly customers with the ball in the subcontinent. This is something that Rabada has yet to learn in order to succeed in India. 

Final verdict

Thus, Kagiso Rabada's injury can't be called a massive setback for South Africa, who utilised the opportunity, strategically fitting three pace options who can contribute with the bat as well. Rabada's unavailability isn't expected to hamper South Africa, as we reckon the visitors are quite capable of doing some real damage to the Indian batting lineup with their existing bowling attack. 

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