Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada

South Africa | Bowler

Kagiso Rabada is a South African international cricketer who plays all formats of the game. He is a right arm fast bowler. He made his international debut in November 2014 in limited-overs cricket before going on to make his Test debut in November 2015. 

Full Name
Kagiso Rabada
Born
May 25, 1995, Johannesburg
Age
29y 362d
Batting Style
Left hand Bat
Bowling Style
Right arm Fast
Playing Role
Bowler

TEAMS

TEAMS
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Kagiso Rabada: The Pacesetter of South African Cricket


Hailing from South Africa, Kagiso Rabada (born May 25, 1995) emerged as a prodigious fast bowler, renowned for his fiery pace, bounce, and ability to dismantle top-order lineups . Transitioning from humble beginnings to global stardom, Rabada’s career is a testament to relentless dedication and natural talent.

Early Career & Domestic Breakthrough

Rabada’s journey began in Gauteng’s age-group cricket, where his raw speed and aggression caught selectors’ eyes. He made his domestic debut in the CSA Provincial One-Day Competition for Gauteng against Border in 2013, showcasing his potential with sharp swing and accuracy . By 2014, his performances in the T20 format—like 3/12 on debut—cemented his reputation as a rising star . His first-class debut followed swiftly, where he dismantled batting orders with consistent hostility, earning him national recognition .

International Ascendancy

Rabada burst onto the international scene in November 2014 with a T20I debut against Australia, immediately proving his mettle with lethal yorkers and bouncers . His Test debut came in November 2015, where he quickly became the backbone of South Africa’s pace attack. By 2021, he became the youngest bowler (25 years, 354 days) to reach 150 Test wickets, a record underscoring his dominance in red-ball cricket . Known for his hostile spells and ability to exploit conditions, Rabada thrived in overseas tours, notably dismantling England’s middle order in 2019 with a career-best 6/16 .

Kagiso Rabada IPL factfile

– Rabada’s rapid rise in international cricket earned him an IPL deal when he was just 21. He was bought for INR 5 crore by Delhi Capitals (then Daredevils) in 2017.

– He played six games that year, returning as many wickets and missed the next season with injury.

– Retained in 2019 for INR 4.2 crore, Rabada went on to bag 25 wickets in 12 games. The next year, he finished as the season’s highest wicket-taker, taking 30 wickets as Capitals finished runners-up.

– He was released ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction and was then snapped up by Punjab Kings for INR 9.25 crore.

– In his first season with Kings, he claimed 23 wickets even as the team failed to make the playoffs. He only played six matches in 2023 and was retained for IPL 2024. He picked 11 wickets from as many games in 2024 and was not retained ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.

– Gujarat Titans snapped Rabada up for INR 10.75 crore ahead of IPL 2025.

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Global T20 Leagues & T10 Ventures

Beyond the IPL, Rabada has starred in leagues like the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Caribbean Premier League (CPL), leveraging his adaptability across pitches. However, his T10 league participation remains undocumented in available records. His ability to bowl economical spells while taking crucial wickets makes him a sought-after asset in shortest-format tournaments.

Strong Zones & Tactical Brilliance

Rabada thrives in exploiting pitch movement, particularly with the new ball, and excels in death overs due to his pinpoint yorkers. His steep bounce troubles even the most seasoned batsmen, while his fitness ensures sustained hostility across formats. In Tests, his knack for reverse swing and aggressive mindset sets him apart, often breaking partnerships single-handedly .

Legacy & Impact

Rabada’s legacy lies in redefining South African fast bowling. As a leader in the pace battery, he inspired a new generation with his work ethic and competitive spirit. His 300+ international wickets (and counting) and IPL milestones highlight his versatility. Despite controversies like suspensions for dissent, his on-field brilliance overshadows off-field hiccups, ensuring his place among cricket’s modern greats

Kagiso Rabada Career Stats

Bowling

FormatMatInnsBallsRunsWktsBBIBBMAveEconSR4w5w10w
Tests701281289871963277/11213/14422.003.3439.414164
ODIs106104544446131686/166/1627.455.0832.4620
T20Is656513931928713/183/1827.158.3019.6000
FC901651684691084029/3314/10522.653.2441.917195
List A124121635254601896/166/1628.885.1533.6820
T20s223220486265202784/214/2123.458.0417.4800

Batting & Fielding

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAveBFSR100s50s4s6sCtSt
Tests701062010304711.97205350.170013516340
ODIs106451840131*14.8550779.09003012410
T20Is6524151562217.33141110.6300145210
FC9012823125448*11.94247150.740016620430
List A124552145031*13.2357977.72003612450
T20s22382404724411.23439107.51004116740

Kagiso Rabada T20 Stats

Bowling

TournamentTeamsMatInnsBallsRunsWktsBBIBBMAveEconSR4w5w10w
IPL3 teams8383187826871194/214/2122.578.5815.7600
SA20MICT2726553706324/254/2522.067.6617.2100
Major League CricketMI NY449011362/162/1618.837.5315.0000
Mzansi Super LeagueJS1716370457214/274/2721.767.4117.6100
Vitality BlastKEN6614416262/312/3127.006.7524.0000

Batting & Fielding

TournamentTeamsMatInnsNORunsHSAveBFSR100s50s4s6sCtSt
IPL3 teams8332152134412.52198107.5700169300
SA20MICT2784248*6.002692.30003070
Major League CricketMI NY43121*1.00825.00000000
Mzansi Super LeagueJS177149218.1637132.43006250
Vitality BlastKEN64233*1.50837.50000030

Debut/Last Matches of Kagiso Rabada

Test Matches

Debut

India vs South Africa at Mohali – November 05 – 07, 2015

Last

South Africa vs Pakistan at Cape Town – January 03 – 06, 2025

ODI Matches

Debut

Bangladesh vs South Africa at Mirpur – July 10, 2015

Last

New Zealand vs South Africa at Lahore – March 05, 2025

T20I Matches

Debut

Australia vs South Africa at Adelaide – November 05, 2014

Last

India vs South Africa at Bridgetown – June 29, 2024

FC Matches

Debut

Gauteng vs Easterns at Johannesburg – March 13 – 15, 2014

Last

South Africa vs Pakistan at Cape Town – January 03 – 06, 2025

List A Matches

Debut

Gauteng vs Border at East London – December 08, 2013

Last

New Zealand vs South Africa at Lahore – March 05, 2025

T20 Matches

Debut

Gauteng vs Griq West at Kimberley – January 26, 2014

Last

DC vs GT at Delhi – May 18, 2025

2025 IPL TEAM

Delhi Capitals  Sunrisers Hyderabad  Rajasthan Royals  Chennai Super kings  Gujrat Titans  Kolkata knight Riders  Lucknow Super Giants  Mumbai Indians Punjab Kings  Royal Challengers Bengaluru

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