Kagiso Rabada

South Africa’s star pacer Kagiso Rabada etched his name into the history books on Wednesday (October 22) by smashing the highest individual score by

Kagiso Rabada is one of the most feared fast bowlers in world cricket today. From thunderous yorkers to sharp bouncers, Rabada brings speed, skill, and intensity to every match. If you’re looking for the latest updates, stats, and career achievements of Kagiso Rabada, you’ve come to the right place.

Let’s take a deep dive into the journey of Kagiso Rabada — from his early cricketing roots to dominating on the biggest global stages.

Quick Facts About Kagiso Rabada

Attribute	Detail
Full Name	Kagiso Rabada
Date of Birth	May 25, 1995
Birthplace	Johannesburg, South Africa
Role	Right-arm fast bowler
Batting Style	Left-handed
Bowling Style	Right-arm fast
Teams	South Africa, Delhi Capitals, Lions, MI Cape Town

Early Life and Background

Kagiso Rabada was born in Johannesburg to a professional family. His father is a doctor, and his mother is a lawyer. However, Rabada chose a different path — the cricket field.

He studied at St. Stithians College, where his talent with the ball was noticed early. At just 18, he was representing South Africa at the Under-19 level, and from there, his journey to the top was swift and impressive.

Youth and Domestic Career

Rabada shot to fame during the 2014 ICC Under-19 World Cup. He finished as the second-highest wicket-taker and helped South Africa lift the trophy. His 6/25 against Australia in the semifinals remains one of the best bowling performances in youth cricket history.

He then played for the Highveld Lions in domestic cricket and made an immediate impact. Soon after, he was fast-tracked into the national setup.

International Career

Kagiso Rabada made his T20I debut in 2014, ODI debut in 2015, and Test debut later in 2015. Since then, he has been a key figure in South Africa’s bowling attack.

Test Career

Rabada’s Test debut came against India in 2015. But his true breakout moment arrived against England in 2016, when he took 13 wickets in a single Test — the second-best match figures by a South African.

Over the years, he has become one of the most consistent fast bowlers in Tests. His pace, accuracy, and stamina make him lethal in all conditions.

ODI Career

Rabada’s ODI debut was unforgettable. He took a hat-trick and finished with 6/16 — the best figures on debut in ODI history. Since then, he’s played many match-winning roles, especially in World Cup tournaments.

T20I Career

While Rabada plays fewer T20Is, he still remains an asset. His death-over bowling and raw pace make him an ideal T20 weapon.

Kagiso Rabada’s International Stats

Format	Matches	Wickets	Best Bowling	Average	Economy	5-Wicket Hauls
Test	65	289	7/112	22.65	3.35	13
ODI	97	159	6/16	27.18	5.06	2
T20I	56	81	4/24	25.36	8.14	0

Stats updated as of July 2025.

IPL Career

Kagiso Rabada has been a star performer in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He started his IPL journey with Delhi Capitals, where he became their premier strike bowler.

Later, he moved to Punjab Kings and then joined MI Cape Town in the SA20 League, continuing to shine with his express pace and toe-crushing yorkers.

IPL Performance Summary

Season	Team	Matches	Wickets	Economy	Best Figures
2017	Delhi Capitals	6	6	8.81	2/20
2019	Delhi Capitals	12	25	7.82	4/21
2020	Delhi Capitals	17	30	8.34	4/24
2022	Punjab Kings	13	23	8.45	4/33
2023	Punjab Kings	9	14	8.70	3/26

Records and Achievements

Fastest South African to 100 Test wickets (in 22 matches)
Best ODI debut bowling figures – 6/16 vs Bangladesh
Second youngest to 200 Test wickets
Purple Cap winner – IPL 2020 (30 wickets)
Named in ICC Test Team of the Year multiple times

Memorable Performances

13/144 vs England, 2016 (Test) – Match-winning performance at Centurion.
6/16 vs Bangladesh, 2015 (ODI) – Historic debut.
4/24 vs RCB, IPL 2020 – Dominated the powerplay and death overs.
7/112 vs England, 2023 – Sparked a stunning Test win at Lord’s.
4/33 vs CSK, IPL 2022 – Turned the game in just 3 overs.

Injuries and Comebacks

Like most fast bowlers, Rabada has faced injury setbacks. Back injuries and hamstring strains have occasionally kept him out of action. However, his disciplined fitness regime and professionalism have ensured quick comebacks.

Even when he returns after long breaks, Rabada bowls at full pace with sharp rhythm — a testament to his preparation and hunger.

Personal Life and Character

Off the field, Kagiso Rabada is deeply introspective. He enjoys jazz music, reading, and creative pursuits. He’s also known for speaking out on social issues and is admired for his maturity beyond the cricket field.

He has a calm but intense presence, and many consider him a future captain material.

Style of Bowling

Kagiso Rabada is a complete fast bowler. He can swing the new ball, bowl accurate bouncers, and finish off innings with pinpoint yorkers. His wrist position and natural athleticism give him that extra zip off the surface.

He often bowls 145+ km/h and thrives in tough situations. Whether it’s the new ball in a Test or the 19th over in a T20, Rabada handles it with control and aggression.

Career Timeline

Year	Milestone
2014	U-19 World Cup – 6/25 in semifinals
2015	ODI debut – hat-trick and 6/16
2015	Test debut vs India
2016	13 wickets in a Test vs England
2019	100 Test wickets in just 22 matches
2020	IPL Purple Cap winner
2023	Crossed 250 Test wickets
2025	Picked for WTC and T20 World Cup squads

What Makes Kagiso Rabada Stand Out?

Kagiso Rabada isn’t just fast — he’s intelligent. He reads batters, adapts to conditions, and attacks with a clear plan. While other pacers may fade with time, Rabada keeps evolving.

Whether it’s red-ball grit or white-ball aggression, he offers South Africa a genuine match-winner. His consistency, even under pressure, is what makes him world-class.

Final Thoughts

Kagiso Rabada is already a legend in the making. With over 500 international wickets and many more to come, he is the face of South African fast bowling. At just 30, his best years might still be ahead.