‘Country comes first’ – Kagiso Rabada prioritizes South Africa over playing in IPL 2021

Kagiso Rabada, the South Africa fast bowler, has hinted at missing the first week of the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The dates for the IPL are yet to be announced, but reports of the tournament starting in April have been doing the rounds. Hence, the T20 tournament could, in the end, end up clashing with the Proteas’ limited-overs series against Pakistan.

The 25-year-old Rabada was clear-cut in saying that he will be prioritising his country more than playing in the IPL. The speedster was the leading wicket-taker in the 2020 edition when the IPL took place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Back then, playing for the Delhi Capitals (DC), he picked up 30 wickets from 17 matches with two four-wicket hauls.

“Country comes first and I may miss a week of the IPL if the Pakistan series is scheduled at the same time the IPL starts. Delhi has been my home in India, but national duty is a priority,” Rabada was quoted as saying in iol.co.za.

South Africa are scheduled to play four T20Is and three ODIs against Pakistan from April 2 to April 16. Therefore, DC might not get Rabada’s services in the initial phase of the tournament.

Wasim Jaffer praises Kagiso Rabada

Rabada, in the meantime, drew praises from Wasim Jaffer, the former Indian cricketer, after he picked up 200 wickets in Test cricket. In the opening Test against Pakistan, he accomplished the milestone after he got rid of Hasan Ali.

Jaffer took to Twitter and wrote, “Congratulations @KagisoRabada25 on 200 test wickets. That too with the best strike rate among some legends of the game. That’s some achievement. And he’s just 25! Scary to think what he can achieve! #PAKvsSA PS: Boom v KG will be the battle of this decade.”

Rabada, after getting his 200th wicket, beat the likes of Dale Steyn, Waqar Younis, and Allan Donald. The pacer achieved the feat at an average of 40.8. In 45 Tests, 75 ODIs, and 26 T20Is, Rabada has picked up 202, 117, and 31 wickets respectively. He made his debut in 2014 and has come up ranks in the last five and half years.