Kagiso Rabada's 3 best Test bowling spells in Asia ft. BAN vs SA 2024 1st TestÂ
Kagiso Rabada has emerged as the finest pacer to come out of South Africa over the last decade. In the past, the country has produced exciting fast bowlers like Allan Donald, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock.
Rabada is certainly creating his own legacy and helping the Proteas side continue their good form in the longest format. Recently, the right-arm pacer became the fastest bowler to claim 300 Test wickets (in terms of balls) in 11,817 deliveries during his appearance against Bangladesh.
Moreover, at 29 years and 150 days, he became the youngest bowler from South Africa to achieve the milestone.
In 65 Tests, Kagiso Rabada has scalped 308 wickets at an average of 21.67, with best match figures of 13/144. Interestingly, he holds an average of around 20 in his last 20 red-ball appearances for South Africa.
On Asian soil, Rabada has garnered 31 wickets in 11 games at an average of 27.61, with a solitary five-wicket haul. On that note, let's take a look at the best performances by him in Asia.
#3 3/85 vs India in Ranchi, 2019
In October 2019, India and South Africa met in the third and final test fixture of the series in Ranchi. The Indian team were coming into the game after taking an unassailable lead of 2-0.
The Virat Kohli-led side won the toss and chose to bat. The hosts didn't get off to a good start, as Kagiso Rabada was exceptional with his opening burst. He dismissed Mayank Agarwal (10) and Cheteshwar Pujara (0). Soon, Anrich Nortje got rid of Virat Kohli (12) as well.
Nevertheless, Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane (115) built a solid 267-run stand before George Linde dismissed Rahane. The 'Hitman' went on to record a double century and continue the team's momentum.
However, Rabada secured a breakthrough with Rohit's wicket (212), as India went on to declare on 497/9. Linde ended with figures of 4/133 while Rabada registered figures of 3/85.
Thereafter, South Africa were bundled out for 162 and were enforced a follow-on. Reeling under pressure, the visitors could only score 133. Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami picked a total of 10 wickets in the game.
#2 7/94 vs Sri Lanka in Galle, 2018
The opening test of the 2018 series between Sri Lanka and South Africa took place in Galle. Bowling first, Kagiso Rabada drew the first blood for the visitors by dismissing Danushka Gunathilaka (26). The other bowlers also contributed to keep the hosts in check.
Rabada secured back-to-back breakthroughs in the same over by sending Angelo Mathews (1) and Roshen Silva (0) back to the hut.
In the end, he got rid of skipper Suranga Lakmal (10) to end with figures of 4/50. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka were all-out for 287. Dimuth Karunaratne was impressive with his unbeaten knock of 158.
However, South Africa could only respond with a total of 126. The second innings saw Rabada returning with figures of 3/44 by taking wickets of Karunaratne (60), Niroshan Dickwella (9) and Dilruwan Perera (2). As a result, Sri Lanka were all-out for 190.
The final innings saw Dilruwan Perera take a six-fer to wrap up South Africa for 73 and help Sri Lanka win the game by 278 runs.
#1 9/72 vs Bangladesh in Dhaka, 2024
The recent game against Bangladesh saw Kagiso Rabada return with his best-ever performance in Asia. In the first innings, Rabada finished with figures of 3/26 while breaching the defense of veteran Mushfiqur Rahim.
With three wickets each from Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj, Bangladesh were bundled out for 106. South Africa responded strongly by scoring 308, with Kyle Verreynne scoring a century.
In the second innings, Rabada took three wickets up front to open the floodgates for the Proteas. Interestingly, the right-arm pacer secured a similar bowled dismissal of Rahim (33).
However, Bangladesh bounced back with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (97) before he was dismissed by Rabada. In the end, the Tigers scored 307 and set up a target of 106. Rabada was sensational to return with figures of 6/46.
South Africa then chased down the target, with Tony de Zorzi (41) as the top-scorer.