Kagiso Rabada Career

image-lsixtqna Kagiso Rabada [x.com]

One of the world’s leading speedsters, Kagiso Rabada has rapidly risen to prominence as one of South Africa's most exhilarating talents in the post-No.1 Test ranking era. With a physique well-suited for fast bowling and a remarkable ability to consistently deliver speeds between 140-150 kph, Rabada has not just turned heads but has firmly positioned himself as the spearhead of the South African bowling attack.

His journey to cricketing fame was catapulted during the 2014 Under-19 World Cup. In a pivotal semi-final match against Australia, Kagiso Rabada showcased his exceptional talent by claiming an impressive 6 wickets for just 25 runs. This performance was a key factor in steering South Africa to their first-ever title in the tournament, with Rabada emerging as the team's leading wicket-taker.

This extraordinary feat at a young age didn't go unnoticed. Merely three months following his World Cup exploits, Rabada was awarded a franchise contract with the Lions. His rise in cricket continued at a staggering pace; before the year concluded, he had already been drafted into South Africa's ODI and Test squads.

Here’s a detailed look at the Kagiso Rabada Career.

Kagiso Rabada's early career

image-lsx5t7ja Kagiso Rabada's early career

Rabada's domestic cricket career began with a notable debut for Gauteng in the CSA Provincial One-Day Competition. His first game against Border in December 2013 marked the start of his journey in South African domestic cricket.

In 2014, Rabada was selected for South Africa's Under-19 squad for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2014. His remarkable bowling in this tournament, particularly his haul of 14 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 3.10, played a crucial role in South Africa's victory.

Rabada's success in the Under-19 World Cup led to his inclusion in the Lions franchise for the concluding part of the Sunfoil Series season.

In February 2015, Rabada achieved a landmark feat while playing for Lions against Dolphins. He took 14 wickets in a match, including an incredible 9 for 33 in the second innings, thus registering the best figures in the franchise era of South African cricket and adding to his list of stats.

In a strategic move to gain experience in English conditions, Rabada signed a short-term deal with Kent County Cricket Club in February 2016, foregoing an IPL contract. During his tenure, he participated in two County Championship matches and six T20 matches, gaining valuable experience in diverse playing conditions.

Rabada was a part of the inaugural Mzansi Super League T20 tournament in October 2018, named in the Jozi Stars' squad. He continued with the Jozi Stars for the 2019 season.

Kagiso Rabada Test Career

image-lsx5w9z0 Kagiso Rabada Test Career [x.com]

Rabada stepped into the Test cricket arena on 5 November 2015 against India, quickly making his mark with his skill and pace. He rose to prominence during England's 2015-16 tour of South Africa. Here, Rabada shone brilliantly, recording 13 wickets for 144 runs in the fourth Test.

This performance not only steered South Africa to victory but also made Rabada the youngest South African to claim a ten-wicket haul in a Test. His figures remain the second-best in South African history, following Makhaya Ntini's 13/132.

Rabada's test career reached new heights with his the ten-wicket haul against England in 2016 at Centurion. This match was a showcase of his mastery in innings bowling, marked by two five-wicket hauls. He continued his exceptional form, achieving his second ten-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in Cape Town in 2017.

Rabada faced a brief setback during the 2017 tour of England at Lord's, resulting in a match suspension. However, he bounced back, achieving five five-wicket hauls in Tests by June 2017. In a 2018 Test against Australia, his 11-wicket performance not only earned him the man of the match award but also catapulted him to the top of the ICC Test bowler rankings.

In 2016 and again in 2018, Rabada dominated the Cricket South Africa (CSA) awards, winning six accolades each time, including Cricketer of the Year. By January 2018, at just 22, he topped the ICC Test bowler rankings.

In January 2022, Rabada played his 50th Test match against India. Sunsequently, his five-wicket haul against England at Lord's in August 2022 placed him on the prestigious honours board, making him the fourth South African to achieve this feat post-re-admission.

In December 2023, Rabada's exceptional performance against India in Centurion was crucial in South Africa's series lead. He took seven wickets across two innings, followed by a four-wicket haul in the second Test, although it resulted in a South African loss in a historically short Test match.

Kagiso Rabada ODI Career

image-lsx658qo Kagiso Rabada ODI Career [x.com]

Rabada's entry into One Day Internationals (ODIs) was nothing short of spectacular. On 10 July 2015, facing Bangladesh, he achieved an astonishing 6/16, setting a record for the best figures on an ODI debut.

Rabada's skills in the ODI format were further highlighted during South Africa's 2017 tour of England. In the third ODI match, his impressive 4/39 not only underlined his bowling skills but also propelled him to the number one spot in the ICC ODI bowler rankings.

At just 22 years old, Rabada became the youngest bowler to top the ODI rankings since Saqlain Mushtaq in 1998, marking a significant milestone in his career.

In March 2019, Rabada added another feather to his cap by taking his 100th wicket in ODIs during a match against Sri Lanka. Rabada's impact was significantly felt in ICC World Cup 2023, Rabada's performance was exceptional, taking 13 wickets across 9 matches.

Kagiso Rabada T20I Career

Rabada entered the T20I arena on 5 November 2014 against Australia. His introduction to the shortest format of cricket marked the beginning of a journey where he would need to adapt his skills to the fast-paced and dynamic nature of T20 cricket.

A defining moment in Rabada's T20I career occurred during the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. In a high-pressure game against England on 6 November 2021, Rabada achieved a remarkable feat: he became the first South African bowler to take a hat-trick in T20I cricket.

Kagiso Rabada IPL Career

Kagiso Rabada's foray into the IPL began in February 2017, when he was acquired by the Delhi Daredevils (now known as Delhi Capitals) for INR 50 million.

The IPL 2018 season saw Rabada retained by the Delhi Capitals, but a back injury prevented him from participating, delaying his chance to showcase his talents in the league.

Rabada's return to the IPL in 2019 was nothing short of spectacular. During this period, he claimed 25 wickets, emerging as his team's leading wicket-taker and the second highest in the league that year.

The IPL 2020 season saw Rabada shine even brighter. He became the highest wicket-taker of the tournament with an outstanding haul of 30 wickets in 17 matches.

In the IPL 2022 mega auction, Rabada's reputation as a top-tier bowler was underscored when he was picked up by the Punjab Kings for ₹9.25 crore (approximately US$1.2 million).

April 2023 marked another significant achievement in Rabada's IPL journey. He reached his 100th wicket in the competition in just his 64th match, becoming the fastest bowler to achieve this milestone in terms of matches played in the IPL.

Kagiso Rabada Career: Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1. When did Kagiso Rabada make his international debut?

Answer: Kagiso Rabada made his international debut in a T20I match against Australia on 5 November 2014.

Q.2. What is Kagiso Rabada's best performance in Test cricket?

Answer: Kagiso Rabada’s best Test performance came against England in 2016 at Centurion, where he took 13/144 in a match, including two five-wicket hauls.

Q.3. Has Kagiso Rabada achieved any records in his ODI career?

Answer: Yes, Kagiso Rabada holds the record for the best figures on ODI debut, taking 6/16 against Bangladesh in 2015. He also became the first South African to claim a hat-trick on ODI debut.

Q.4. What is Kagiso Rabada's highest achievement in T20 International cricket?

Answer: Kagiso Rabada became the first South African to take a hat-trick in T20I cricket, achieving this feat against England in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

Q.5. How has Kagiso Rabada performed in the IPL?

Answer: Kagiso Rabada has been a standout performer in the IPL, being the highest wicket-taker in 2020 with 30 wickets. He also set a record as the fastest bowler to reach 100 wickets in IPL history.