SA vs IND | I am not near done: Rabada’s warning before landmark 50th Test appearance

South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who would be appearing in his 50th Test when he takes to field against India in the third Test of the three-match Test series between the two sides, said that he is not done yet and this is just the beginning for a long career he aspires to have. 

Aged 26, Rabada became the youngest South African in history to reach 200 Test wickets when he did that two years ago. Currently, the right-arm fast bowler has 226 Test wickets to his name and is raring to add more to the list. 

“I think it’s quite special,” he said about the 50 Test landmark that he would achieve when he plays the Newlands Test starting Tuesday, January 11th. “I didn’t even know how many games I was on and only found out after the last Test match that this would be my 50th,” he added. 

“I’ve always wanted to represent my country, so this is a personal milestone and one that I’ll hold dear to my heart,” Rabada said before adding that reaching where he has so far has not been easy whatsoever. 

“It’s been tough navigating your way through the lows – I think that’s been quite difficult – and then also trying to get through the external pressures that can influence your game and also influence the team space. Those are things you have to get used to dealing and things you constantly learn how to deal with,” Rabada narrated. 

Asked what’s the biggest motivation for him to keep going, the Johannesburg born answered, “At the end of the day you almost have to remind yourself to keep enjoying it and remember yourself as this youngster who just wanted to represent your country and show the world what you’re about.”

Currently, the leading wicket-taker in the series with 13 scalps to his name, Rabada, who made his Test debut in 2015 against India in India itself says that more than taking wickets, for him it’s about being the best version of himself. 

“It’s about being the best I can be and there’s no limit to that. I feel like I’m nowhere near done. You can never take international cricket for granted. For me, it’s about longevity and not doing it for just a short amount of time. It’s about doing it for a long time and that’s what keeps driving me,” he said. 

The Test series is currently tied at 1-1 and Rabada could play a decisive role in making sure that South Africa keep its record of not losing a Test series to India in South Africa.