Published: Sep 26, 2015, 12:27 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 26, 2015, 12:48 PM (IST)
Kagiso Rabada might be a new face in the South African bowling line-up but his One-Day International (ODI) career started off with a bang. Not only did he finish with best figures for a bowler on debut, but also claimed a hat-trick, which was only achieved previously by Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam. Having performed well in Bangladesh, Rabada will be looking to repeat his heroics when Proteas visit India in a few days time. Rabada could turn out to be one of South Africa’s trump cards, believes Pramod Ananth.
In the sub-continent, teams generally go in to a match with three fast bowlers and two spinners. If South Africa are to do that against India, it will be a tussle between Kyle Abbott and Rabada for the ODI series. However, he will be one of South Africa’s frontline bowlers in the Twenty20 International (T20I) series alongside Chris Morris and David Wiese. READ: India vs South Africa 2015: Is this Proteas side the weakest ever to tour India?
Rabada can bowl at a decent pace but what he has to do is improve his accuracy a little bit. The 20-year old has done well in the few opportunities he has received in international cricket so far, but is a bit expensive in the limited-overs. An economy rate of close to 8.5 an over in T20Is for a strike bowler is not acceptable. Other than his ODI debut, he has gone for plenty of runs in all the matches. He however redeemed himself in the third ODI against New Zealand in the recent series on home soil, where he picked up a couple of crucial wickets for just 33 in 10 overs.
South African selectors are known to give youngsters like Rabada their backing constantly. That is the reason players like Rilee Rossouw, Quinton de Kock and Farhaan Behardien are given many opportunities to prove themselves. All these players have done well in patches, but lack consistency. Rabada too seems to fit into the same category, but the good news for him is that the selectors are willing to give him yet another chance—perhaps the toughest tour in his brief career so far. READ: India vs South Africa 2015: Wiese, Morris should use IPL experience to their advantage
Rabada does not have great numbers to boast about even in domestic cricket. But with the fast bowling options in South Africa depleting thick and fast, it is perhaps Rabada, who is a long-term answer. Steyn and Morkel are easily in the twilight of their careers and the Proteas need someone to step up. They have Morris and Abbott, who again have had a couple of good performances and they will keep Rabada on their toes all the time. The youngster will know that South Africa have some good bowlers coming through and if he does not performing consistently, he might have to spend a lot of time on the sidelines.
A good performance against India can perhaps see Rabada seal his place in the limited-overs, and the fact that he is relatively an unknown quantity, could just work in South Africa’s favour. READ: Imran Tahir’s best chance to prove credentials during India vs South Africa 2015
(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCountry. He has represented Karnataka table tennis under-15, and is a hardcore supporter of Liverpool FC. His Twitter handle is @pramz)
