Kagiso Rabada reveals his admiration for Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer

Sudhir Gupta 18:42 07/09/2019
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  • South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada.

    Kagiso Rabada’s introduction to international cricket has been as meteoric as they come with the South Africa pacer racing away to 176 Test wickets in just 37 appearances at a sensational average of 21.77.

    The Proteas pacer created history at the start of 2018 when he became the youngest bowler (then 22) ever to ascend to the top of the ICC Test rankings. In the same year in July, he became the youngest Test bowler to complete 150 dismissals in the format.

    Rabada’s displays have seen him earn the tag of the best young pacer in the business but the South Africa’s limelight has been stolen by the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins and Jofra Archer in recent times.

    The three pacers had excellent campaigns in the 2019 World Cup where Rabada was slightly off-colour and they have followed up those displays in the Test format in recent weeks for their respective sides.

    Rabada has expressed his own admiration for the trio of pacers but has warned them of the difficulties of maintaining their performances over a substantial length of time.

    “I admire those bowlers, they are good bowlers,” Rabada told iol.co.za.

    Jasprit Bumrah's sensational rise in Test cricket continues.

    Jasprit Bumrah’s sensational rise in Test cricket continues.

    “However, the media hypes certain players, and that’s Ok, I know I have been playing very well. Archer is such a natural talent, Bumrah is doing wonders and that can force you to lift your game.

    “You are not always at the top, that’s one thing I can tell you.”

    Bumrah was sensational on his maiden tour of the Caribbean while Archer and Cummins have impressed with the red-ball in the ongoing Ashes in England. Rabada, though, is up for the challenge of proving himself as the very best despite the growing competition.

    “It’s never easy maintaining a career, I’ve learned that there are a lot of ups and downs. I want to be the best in the world, everybody does,” he said.

    “You are naturally going to compete in that fashion, I’m not too worried, I’m feeling nice and easy,” the South African added.

    Rabada will now home to steal back the thunder from other pacers when South Africa’s tour of India gets underway this month. The Proteas are slated to take on India in three T20s followed by as many Tests on their tour which starts on September 15.

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