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[VIDEOS/PICTURES] Kagiso Rabada - A Champion Bowler

At the end of his career, what do you reckon—will he reach 500 Test wickets? He is only 29 years old now and has already taken 300+ Test wickets

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I don't think he gets enough credit. The guy is an absolute killer and has been ever since he made his debut. He has none of the PR that Bumrah and Cummins have behind them, and probably plays half the number of test matches as those guys, but his brilliance is incredible across the board and across formats.

The action is absolutely beautiful. The amount of crazy good jaffa deliveries are on-par with Cummins and Bumrah, and the consistency is also unreal. He is just a cold operator.

The only blemish is probably his record in India, but then again, a number of great fast-bowlers have struggled there and there is no reason why he can't improve that in future tours.\

You could argue that Cummins and Bumrah are better than him, but he is very much in the same category as them.
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
I don't think he gets enough credit. The guy is an absolute killer and has been ever since he made his debut. He has none of the PR that Bumrah and Cummins have behind them, and probably plays half the number of test matches as those guys, but his brilliance is incredible across the board and across formats.

The action is absolutely beautiful. The amount of crazy good jaffa deliveries are on-par with Cummins and Bumrah, and the consistency is also unreal. He is just a cold operator.

The only blemish is probably his record in India, but then again, a number of great fast-bowlers have struggled there and there is no reason why he can't improve that in future tours.\

You could argue that Cummins and Bumrah are better than him, but he is very much in the same category as them.
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Yup, bumrah, cummins rabada they are the 1-2-3 of this generation, Jamieson probably vould have joined them without the injury.
 
He is bowling better than he was before.
You can hardly bowl better than what he is doing.
 
Steyn had more series defining performances away from home than Rabada and that’s why I rate Steyn higher despite both having their away averages worse than home averages. It only validates the pitches they played in.

What are the series defining performances Rabada has away from home? A series in BD is fine and he will have one in Windies too. But I am looking for the performances in India, Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
 
Ab Fan said:
Steyn had more series defining performances away from home than Rabada and that’s why I rate Steyn higher despite both having their away averages worse than home averages. It only validates the pitches they played in.

What are the series defining performances Rabada has away from home? A series in BD is fine and he will have one in Windies too. But I am looking for the performances in India, Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
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Dint he destroy aus in 2017?

India - none

Nz the last time he played he did good iirc. Might have been 1 0 saffers winning in the end.

England- was not so good I believe.
 
Rabada strikes early for Proteas against Afghanistan as he dismissed the Afghan Kohli..Ibrahim Zadran on 17.
 
STATEMENT FROM KAGISO RABADA

Rabada serving a provisional suspension after an adverse analytical finding of the use of a Recreational :kp

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Bewal Express said:
His relative decline has been. Obvious for a while. His bowling has lacked any bite on the flatter tracks. This is a terrible shame for him and SA cricket.
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So he is now out from WTC final ? I can't find dates of his suspension period.

Waiting for ICC or South Africa cricket board news about him.
 
Rabada serves a suspension for recreational drug use. Opening up on his return to the country from IPL, he says:

As has been reported, I recently returned to South Africa from participating in the IPL for personal reasons. This was due to my returning an adverse analytical finding for the use of a recreational drug.

I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down. I will never take the privilege of playing cricket for granted. This privilege is much larger than me. It goes beyond my personal aspirations.

I am serving a provisional suspension and I am looking forward to returning to the game I love playing.

I couldn’t have gone through this alone. I’d like to thank my agent, CSA, and Gujarat Titans for their support. I’d also like to thank SACA and my legal team for their guidance and counsel. Most importantly I’d like to thank my friends and family for their understanding and love.

Moving forward, this moment will not define me. I will keep doing what I have always done, continuously working hard and playing with passion and devotion to my craft.
 
Cricket South Africa (CSA) can confirm that Proteas Men right arm fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has returned an adverse analytical finding for the use of a prohibited substance.


The incident is regrettable, however, Rabada has reassured CSA and his fans of his commitment to upholding professional standards and has restated his passion to the sport of cricket and the country he represents with purpose.


CSA is fully committed to drug-free sport and reminds cricket players, both professional and amateur, of the importance of adhering to all regulations. We are steadfast in our support to all players in this regard.
 
It stinks. I don’t like this use around personal issues: Tim Paine slams Kagiso Rabada

Former Australian cricketer Tim Paine slammed Kagiso Rabada for the use of recreational drugs. Earlier, Rabada withdrew from the Indian Premier League 2025 mid-way through the tournament from the Gujarat Titans, citing personal reasons at the time. “As has been reported, I recently returned to South Africa from participating in the IPL for personal reasons,” Rabada said in a statement. “This was due to my returning an adverse analytical finding for the use of a recreational drug,” he added.

“I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down. I will never take the privilege of playing cricket for granted. This privilege is much larger than me. It goes beyond my personal aspirations. Moving forward, this moment will not define me. I will keep doing what I have always done, continuously working hard and playing with passion and devotion to my craft,” Rabada said.

Paine, though, lashed at the 29-year-old for the usage of the term “personal issue” as he returned to South Africa from IPL. “It stinks. I don’t like this use around personal issues, and it is being used to hide stuff that isn’t a personal issue. If you have a professional sportsman who’s tested for recreational drugs during a tournament in which he is playing, that doesn’t fall under personal issues for me. That falls under you having broken your contract. That is not a personal issue; that is something that is happening in your personal life,” he said SEN Radio breakfast show.

“Taking drugs – recreational or performance enhancing – is not a personal issue that can just be hidden for a month. A guy can be taken out the IPL, moved back to South Africa and we just let it slide under the rug. Then we will bring him back once he’s already served his ban,” he said.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/s...issues-tim-paine-slams-kagiso-rabada-9983568/
 
Kagiso Rabada Cleared To Return After Undergoing 'Substance Abuse Treatment Program': Report

Kagiso Rabada is reportedly set to make his return to cricket and possibly to the Indian Premier League 2025 season after the international fast-bowler has successfully completed a treatment program after serving a provisional suspension for testing positive for a banned recreational drug.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, the bowler was tested after the SA20 game between MI Cape Town and the Durban Super Giants on January 21 and as per a statement by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS), he had tested positive for a ‘Substance of Abuse’.

He was then notified regarding the result on April 1, which was during his Indian Premier League campaign for the Gujarat Titans and had served a provisional suspension as well.

“Mr. Rabada tested positive for a Substance of Abuse and was subsequently notified of the allegation of his doping offence on 1 April 2025. A provisional suspension was imposed and Mr. Rabada returned immediately to South Africa from India," the release stated, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Details regarding the specific drug were not revealed, but according to the World Anti-Doping Code for 2025, substances of abuse are defined as" substances that are identified as such because they are frequently abused in society outside of the context of sport. The following are designated Substances of Abuse: cocaine, diamorphine (heroin), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA/"ecstasy"), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)".

According to the SAID’s statement it is also mentioned that if the player can prove the usage of the prohibited substance occurred out of competition and/or was not related to enhancing performance, the athlete can reduce the provisional ban for three months or even one month if they can complete a substance abuse treatment program.

Their statement was quoted as saying, “If the athlete can establish that any ingestion or use occurred out-of-competition and was unrelated to sport performance, then the period of ineligibility shall be three (3) months. This may be reduced to one (1) month if the athlete satisfactorily completes a substance abuse treatment program approved by SAIDS".

The release also mentions that Rabada successfully completed his provisional suspension and treatment program.

“The player accepted responsibility for the doping offence and honoured his provisional suspension," the release added.

SOURCE: https://www.news18.com/cricket/kagi...e-abuse-treatment-program-report-9324604.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ball Blazer said:
It stinks. I don’t like this use around personal issues: Tim Paine slams Kagiso Rabada

Former Australian cricketer Tim Paine slammed Kagiso Rabada for the use of recreational drugs. Earlier, Rabada withdrew from the Indian Premier League 2025 mid-way through the tournament from the Gujarat Titans, citing personal reasons at the time. “As has been reported, I recently returned to South Africa from participating in the IPL for personal reasons,” Rabada said in a statement. “This was due to my returning an adverse analytical finding for the use of a recreational drug,” he added.

“I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down. I will never take the privilege of playing cricket for granted. This privilege is much larger than me. It goes beyond my personal aspirations. Moving forward, this moment will not define me. I will keep doing what I have always done, continuously working hard and playing with passion and devotion to my craft,” Rabada said.

Paine, though, lashed at the 29-year-old for the usage of the term “personal issue” as he returned to South Africa from IPL. “It stinks. I don’t like this use around personal issues, and it is being used to hide stuff that isn’t a personal issue. If you have a professional sportsman who’s tested for recreational drugs during a tournament in which he is playing, that doesn’t fall under personal issues for me. That falls under you having broken your contract. That is not a personal issue; that is something that is happening in your personal life,” he said SEN Radio breakfast show.

“Taking drugs – recreational or performance enhancing – is not a personal issue that can just be hidden for a month. A guy can be taken out the IPL, moved back to South Africa and we just let it slide under the rug. Then we will bring him back once he’s already served his ban,” he said.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/s...issues-tim-paine-slams-kagiso-rabada-9983568/
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Tim Paine is in no position to lecture anyone
 
Kagiso Rabada has been named in South Africa's squad for next month's World Test Championship after completing a one-month ban for recreational drug use.

The seamer returned to the camp of his Indian Premier League side Gujarat Titans shortly before the competition's suspension last week and looks set to feature against Australia at Lord's.
 
A formidable presence in all formats, he's the only bowler with 150+ Test wickets boasting a strike rate under 40.

At just 30 years old, he ranks as South Africa's fifth-leading Test wicket-taker.

Happy birthday, Kagiso Rabada!
 
He has 327 Test wickets at the age of 30. Superb.

How many more can he get? I think he may end up with 400-450 Test wickets.
 
Gun bowler.

Doing his thing against Australia in WTC final
 
Bowls better pace and lengths than all Pakistani so-called pacers in Test cricket, even when high on cocaine. Whaddaplaya! :rabada2
 
Kagiso Rabada goes past Allan Donald to become South Africa’s 4th highest wicket-taker in Tests (Cricinfo)

It was his second five-for at Lord's and 17th in the format. 332 wickets and counting.

 
Top-drawer effort by Rabada when South Africa needed it most. He was so consistent with his line and length, and exploited the conditions to full-effect. Jansen deserves alot of credit too for building pressure from the other end. Both were absolutely relentless today. Even when Australia managed to stitch up a partnership or two they never looked like they ever had an upper-hand. And that's all because of Rabada and Jansen.

332 test wickets for Rabada now at one of the all-time best bowling strike-rates, and he's as fit as ever. I can definitely see him going past Pollock and Steyn.
 
FACT: Nobody who has played atleast 50 test matches has a better bowling strike-rate than Rabada in the history of test cricket.

Rabada's bowling strike-rate is 39.23 in 71 test matches.

Among players who have played atleast 50 tests, the next best bowling strike rate is Steyn's at 43.35

Rabada gives new meaning to the term strike bowler.
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
FACT: Nobody who has played atleast 50 test matches has a better bowling strike-rate than Rabada in the history of test cricket.

Rabada's bowling strike-rate is 39.23 in 71 test matches.

Among players who have played atleast 50+ tests, the next best bowling strike rate is Steyn's at 43.35
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Not even Jasprit "The Greatest fast bowler ever" Bumrah??
 
Well played, Rabada.

5-fer in a WTC final.

He also went past Allan Donald.

Rabada now has 332 Test wickets.
 
Kagiso Rabada lit up Lord’s on Day 1 of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 with a phenomenal bowling display, ripping through Australia’s batting lineup to claim 5 wickets for 51 runs in just 15.4 overs, including 5 maidens. His fiery spell dismantled key Aussie batters, including Khawaja, Green, Cummins, and Starc, restricting Australia to 212 all out. Rabada’s relentless pace and precision handed South Africa an early upper hand in the decider.

WhatsApp Image 2025-06-11 at 20.10.54_260bcb97.jpg
 
Easily the best test fast bowler of this era. The only competition he has is from Cummins who is probably more well rounded but Rabada is just different.
 
I haven't seen the extended bowling and I hope I see a real renaissance rather than just good to solid, which has been the case for the last 6 years
 
Despite his steller record, i still don't quite rate him. Whenever he bowls in Sub continent conditions, he goes into his shell and bowls well within himself as if he doesn't even want to try and waste energy. Steyn in comparison would give it his all regardless of conditions.
 
Savak said:
Despite his steller record, i still don't quite rate him. Whenever he bowls in Sub continent conditions, he goes into his shell and bowls well within himself as if he doesn't even want to try and waste energy. Steyn in comparison would give it his all regardless of conditions.
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His fear is quite palpable especially when bowling to PP bullies like Rohit Sharma
 
Great to see two excellent pacers from rival teams in WTC.

Rabada and Cummins - both are champions of the game
 
Savak said:
Despite his steller record, i still don't quite rate him. Whenever he bowls in Sub continent conditions, he goes into his shell and bowls well within himself as if he doesn't even want to try and waste energy. Steyn in comparison would give it his all regardless of conditions.
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Steyn was the leader that took down the best test team in their own den in 2008. He was just different. He loved to take on the best batters. Steyn was also supported by a much stronger batting. The only thing Rabada has an edge over Steyn is the stamina. Rabada can effortlessly bowl one long spell after another.
 
Better than both Bumrah and Cummins as he did it all alone unlike those who had luxury of Hazelwood, Starc, Shami, Siraj, Lyon, Ashwin, Jadeja etc.

Rabada has no one and he wins it despite. The greatest test match fast bowler in 150 years of cricket history. Youngest of the three but more wickets than them and a 9-fer in WTC Final against the biggest demons, Aussies it is.
 
Ab Fan said:
Better than both Bumrah and Cummins as he did it all alone unlike those who had luxury of Hazelwood, Starc, Shami, Siraj, Lyon, Ashwin, Jadeja etc.

Rabada has no one and he wins it despite. The greatest test match fast bowler in 150 years of cricket history. Youngest of the three but more wickets than them and a 9-fer in WTC Final.
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Marco Jansen is an amazing bowler, much better than Siraj for sure.
 
He needs to prove himself in the subcontinent but he owned Cummins, Starc, Hazelwood on the Lords Wicket.
 
jeeteshssaxena said:
Come on, why are you trying to mimic @mominsaigol these days, you have more intellect. How is a 23 averaging test pacer mediocre?

He Did well in the Odi WC too
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No one can mimic me, everyone knows that I bring a scary presence on this forumn.

Their is only one me, and he stands >>>>>> All of you.

Don't associate MR Ashwin no 1 with me, its the equivalent of associating an ant with a God.
 
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Away from home, Rabada is sitting pretty with sub 25 avg. He also has more wickets, more 5-fers and lower average, lower SR than Cummins.

Some more of this by Rabada and it will cement his position over Cummins.
 
shamaan said:
Rabada is definitely at the same level as Cummings and Bumrah.
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I would say bumrah then Rabada

And then Cummins much lower who has Starc and Hazlewood to support him

Bumrah is alone now as shami ishant have retired or gone permanently injured etc

Rabada still has burger and Coetze to help later

Unless Prasidh and Rana develop bumrah might have to fight alone for now.
 
RidiculousMan said:
He's clear off Bumrah in this gen as the greatest fast bowler across all formats.
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Not a chance across all formats
He also has a terrible record in India and u.a.e

Across formats it’s bumrah

Even in tests it’s bumrah cause he doesn’t get to stat pad on seaming tracks like Rabada in SA

But it’s neck and neck in tests

Bumrah and Rabada

Cummo is lower
 
kron said:
Far better than Donald pollock

Better than Steyn as he has zero support in batting and only Jansen for now

Burger and Coetze haven’t played enough yet

Greatest South African fast bowler of all time

Take a bow
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No way, is he far better than Donald. Not even 1 person will support you in this argument. Nobody is far better than Donald.
 
Ab Fan said:
No way, is he far better than Donald. Not even 1 person will support you in this argument. Nobody is far better than Donald.
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Ok
He is better than Donald

Look at the batting unit Donald had to support him
And pollock plus Hayward etc

Rabada has no one in batting

Goat South African bowler of all time

Period
 
kron said:
Ok
He is better than Donald

Look at the batting unit Donald had to support him
And pollock plus Hayward etc

Rabada has no one in batting

Goat South African bowler of all time

Period
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That’s the reason why SA in 90s won more than the current SA team. As good a win the WTc Final is, the current SA team haven’t won much outside this.
 
Ab Fan said:
That’s the reason why SA in 90s won more than the current SA team. As good a win the WTc Final is, the current SA team haven’t won much outside this.
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SA in 90's had a better batting, bowling and fielding unit as a whole which is what @kron is trying to say.

I agree rabada isnt > Pollock, steyn or Donald, however your stats improve when you have a goat team for obvious reasons.

Mcgrath and warne made all of their bowlers look good. Brett Lee is a good bowler but he looked like an ATG and got way more wickets and was a nightmare for batters then he should have been.

Its just mcgrath was so good that they had no choice but to target and be reckless against him.

Aus without Warne and Mcgrath lost to SA once who chased 434 down, with lee as the spearhead attacker.
 
mominsaigol said:
SA in 90's had a better batting, bowling and fielding unit as a whole which is what @kron is trying to say.

I agree rabada isnt > Pollock, steyn or Donald, however your stats improve when you have a goat team for obvious reasons.

Mcgrath and warne made all of their bowlers look good. Brett Lee is a good bowler but he looked like an ATG and got way more wickets and was a nightmare for batters then he should have been.

Its just mcgrath was so good that they had no choice but to target and be reckless against him.

Aus without Warne and Mcgrath lost to SA once who chased 434 down, with lee as the spearhead attacker.
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I disagree I think Rabada is better than all 3 inclusive of Steyn and pollock and donald

He just has zero support in batting and also his bowling partners are missing

If Steyn played he would have checked I bet as he always does in crucial ko games. Never stepped up and neither do pollock who is a Trundler anyway and same with Donald. Never once stepped up vs Aus in crucial games or any ko games for the matter vs any top team.
 
For me Rabada has a big weakness and that his lack of perseverance on flat wickets. On wickets with Juice and bit of uneven bounce he is deadly but putting him up against batsman on a flat track and he looks very average. On the other hand Steyn and Donald would go even harder on flat tracks to make up for the lack of assistance
 
kron said:
I would say bumrah then Rabada

And then Cummins much lower who has Starc and Hazlewood to support him

Bumrah is alone now as shami ishant have retired or gone permanently injured etc

Rabada still has burger and Coetze to help later

Unless Prasidh and Rana develop bumrah might have to fight alone for now.
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Cummings doesn't always open the bowling.
 
he proved himself in the subcontinent in the tour of bangladesh last year.
14 wickets in 2 tests with a bowling average of 9.
 
Bumrah’s injury and workload management is what concerns me. He had injuries in past and he is not likely to be available every tests in future either. Think of it, 5 years down the line, Bumrah would be at 70 tests. Cummins and Rabada at 100-105 tests.
 
Rabada while speaking to reporters at Lord's:

"I don't see myself as a star. I see myself as someone who's willing to give my blood for this team and continue working hard and improving. That's me as a cricketer, always wanting to improve and playing for the badge with a lot of pride. I've been working extremely hard, and those second-innings spells, those are the ones that count more, when you're a bit tired. You could be behind the game, or you could be ahead of the game. This time, we're behind the game. But I think it was just about staying calm and looking at what's in front of us. That's the way I see myself."

Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/...illing-to-give-my-blood-for-this-team-1490462
 
Rabada cemented his legacy by taking a 9-fer in a WTC final.

He is an undisputed Test legend.
 
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