Kagiso Rabada is one of the best bowlers in world cricket. South Africa’s fast bowlers have been lethal in Test matches where there is pace and bounce. He was a key factor in South Africa’s maiden World Test Championship title as they defeated Australia last year. Rabada will be seen in action during the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
The Proteas speedster will play for Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL. He has been a well-known name in the IPL since he started his career with Delhi Capitals. Kagiso Rabada will use his entire IPL experience and try to bowl well in the shortest format of the game. The 30-year-old fast bowler took 2 wickets in the four matches he played.
He was probably the most traditional – Kagiso Rabada
Ahead of this season, Kagiso Rabada heaped praise on former India captain Virat Kohli and described him as the most tireless Test batsman ever. There has been a duel between Kohli and Rabada in all formats in IPL and international cricket too. Speaking on the Fast Bowling Cartel podcast, Rabada revealed about Virat Kohli’s consistency under pressure.
“He was probably the most conventional – he wouldn’t necessarily hurt you, but you would look at the scoreboard and he would have made an impact. When you got him out, you really got his wicket,” Rabada said.
Rabada highlighted Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root and Kane Williamson as the four batsmen who have been “most consistent for the longest period of time” in their international careers. However, he removed Virat Kohli’s name from the list of most dangerous batsmen in international cricket.
He can hurt you – Kagiso Rabada on dangerous batsman
Rabada described former Australian opener David Warner as the most dangerous batsman ever. He said, “If you weren’t there, he could hurt you. He scored runs in strange areas. You have to be really on him to get his wicket.”
Kagiso Rabada also discussed the downsides of T20 cricket and what it demands from fast bowlers. The fast bowler further added, “With a 60-metre boundary and no real bounce, it would almost be some kind of mystery to skid on you.”
It kind of cancels out- Rabada
Pointing to technology, he said it has fundamentally changed the balance of power. He admitted that the traditional fast bowler’s stock delivery was becoming ineffective in the shortest format.
“People are analyzing literally everything you do. Batsmen come on bowling machines and just learn to slog a length. It kind of eliminates your traditional length bowler. You almost have to use more of your one-day skills and develop skills that are going to deceive the batsman.”
Kagiso Rabada will be in action for GT against his former franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) on March 31. The fast bowler had a good performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, as he took 5 wickets in seven matches in the premier tournament. He will look to lead the GT bowling attack and take wickets with the new ball and in the death overs as well.
Also Read: “Their batting is 10”: Former CSK opener praises SRH’s batting ahead of IPL 2026
