Published By: Saksham Mishra

Kagiso Rabada, when speed meets accuracy

Kagiso Rabada not only has the speed to trouble the batsmen but the precision to pick up a truckload of wickets.

Impressive numbers

Kagiso Rabada has been carrying the South African bowling on his shoulders for a long time now.

Since his International debut in 2015, he has picked up 213 wickets from 47 test matches at an average of 22.75, 126 wickets from 82 one day international at an average 27.95 and 49 wickets from 40 T20 Internationals at an average of 25.40.

In Anrich Nortje, he has now found the perfect bowling partner and two have been wreaking havoc around the world.

An opportunity lost

As a result, South Africa came extremely close to qualifying for the semifinals of the 2021 T20 World Cup Trophy but had to bow out due to the net run rate.

"Winning the T20 World Cup would be extremely special," Rabada said "Hundred per cent - It would be my biggest life achievement in sports, that's what it would be. That would also be one of the highest achievements in cricket, that's what is missing. It would be the icing on the cake. We hope we are the generation that can bring the trophy home. I don't even actually like to talk about that [baggage] and what's happened in the past, happened in the past. I don't want to talk about it too much, we have a challenge in front of us."

The U-19 triumph

It was in 2014 that Rabadaactually broke the hoodoo at the under 19 level by winning the World Cup. He wanted to repeat the feat with the senior team as well.

"No one in the past tried to lose games. We are coming in with the same mentality, whether we have baggage or not. I just think it's not worth talking about, it's just worth playing. "I guess, it's something that I have to do. It is not something that I am desperate to do. But it is something I am eager to do when there is a need for it. It feels great to be back here. Obviously, there are a lot of good memories from the U-19 World Cup. It would be great to replicate that with the senior team."

Unfortunately, it wasn't to be for the Protea pace bowler.