Birthday special: Kagiso Rabada – Top 3 spells in international cricket
South African fast bowling sensation Kagiso Rabada is widely considered one of the best fast bowlers of this generation across all three formats of the game. The right-arm pacer has incredible numbers to back his skills with the ball. His bowling style is quite reminiscent of that of the old-school fast bowlers as he is not shy to express his feelings to the batters every now and then. On his 28th birthday, we list his most memorable performances for the national team.
6/50 against West Indies, 2023
Temba Bavuma-led South Africa batted first in their Test series opener against West Indies in Centurion. The home side batted first in the contest and put up a decent total on the board, thanks to Aiden Markram’s stylish century. The visitors, in their reply, were restricted to a par total after Anrich Nortje’s five-for. South Africa folded cheaply in their second innings, setting an inviting target for the Windies. However, Kraigg Brathwaite’s side got nowhere near the target as Kagiso Rabada ran riot with the new ball, scalping six wickets in a fiery spell of fast bowling.
6/16 against Bangladesh, 2015
A hapless Bangladeshi batting order faced the full wrath of a young Kagiso Rabada in their first ODI of the series against South Africa. The Proteas tear-away pacer accounted for Bangladesh’s top-four, reducing the home side to 4/40 inside the first eight overs of the match. He added two more wickets to his tally, returning with career-best ODI figures of 6/16 in his eight overs. His mind-boggling bowling spell helped his side to a resounding eight-wicket victory.
7/112 and 6/32 against England, 2016
England travelled to Centurion to take on hosts South Africa, having already claimed the series in the fourth and final Test match of the series. The home side batted first in the contest and posted a mammoth total of 475 runs after centuries from Stephen Cook, Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock. England, in their reply, put up a valiant fight but ended up conceding a substantial lead after a young Rabada’s breathtaking seven-wicket haul. The aggressive pacer was not done there as he returned in the fourth innings to grab another six, taking his tally to 13 in the match, sealing a consolation victory for his side.
