Kagiso Rabada remains modest after 14th Test five-wicket haul against India

By Chad Klate
27th December 2023

After claiming his 14th Test five-for on the first day of the first Test against India at SuperSport Park, Proteas lead bowler Kagiso Rabada modestly claimed good fortune was behind his impressive display on Boxing Day.

The 28-year-old speedster yet again showed his class as he ripped through the Indian batting line-up to put South Africa in a commanding position when play was called off early due to bad light, with the visitors on 208/8.

With figures of 5/44 at an economy of 2.59 in 17 overs, Rabada refused to acknowledge his significant role upon his return to the side after being rested during the ODI and T20 series of the current tour.

READ: Kagiso Rabada takes five but KL Rahul battles back for India on day one of first Test

"Ja, I was pretty focused in my training, I l knew what I wanted to get out of my training but I think days like that happen in cricket where sometimes you get the ball in the right area and you're not so successful. Today was just my day, sometimes it just happens that way but I'm pretty happy with the way that I bowled," Rabada said.

Having previously stressed his passion for red-ball cricket, its return is perhaps what had Rabada fired up.

"All week the ball has been coming up nicely. So, I came into the match quite confident and I'm just glad that all the focused work, the hard work paid off. My body was feeling good coming in, my mind was feeling good coming into this test series. So, hopefully it can continue," he added.

With his Test wicket tally now up to 289 in just his 62nd match, the right-arm seamer expressed his long-held ambition to always take wickets for whichever team he's running out for.

"I think I've always had that expectation to myself to bowl well, right from the moment I started playing for South Africa. All I wanted to do was get a wicket and be the best or just do the job for the team. So, nothing's changed over the years. My job is to bowl and get wickets. I don't think the expectation is a burden, I don't think it's some heavy expectation but I do pressure on myself, I've always put pressure on myself but in a good way, to do well for any team that I play for, in this case South Africa and take wickets."