'You are playing two Test matches a year' - Makhaya Ntini details Kagiso Rabada's challenge to enter 400-wicket club

Former South Africa cricketer Makhaya Ntini came forward to laud star pacer Kagiso Rabada for his consistent performances for the national side over the years. The praise came after Rabada put in an exceptional performance in the first innings of the first Test against team India.

Bowling 17 overs on Day 1 of the first Test, Rabada took five brilliant wickets and conceded 44 runs to his name as well. Seeing his performance, Ntini opined that Rabada is one of the best products that came out of South Africa but opined that he would be even greater if the side did not play limited Test matches in a year. 

Rabada's five-wicket haul saw him achieve the milestone of 500 wickets (across formats) for South Africa and he will be keen on building on that on Day 2 as well. 

"He is already up there. When you talk about those guys, when you talk about those bowlers, they have passed the 400-mark and KG is chasing the 300-mark. But we have got a massive problem," Ntini was quoted as saying by IndiaToday. 

"You are playing two Test matches a year and what is that? Do you think this guy (Rabada) can hold up till he gets to that milestone? It's not going to be easy for the nature of games (number of matches and formats) that is being given to South Africa to play against other countries,” he added.

Your country is your priority: Ntini

Furthermore, Ntini also stressed the importance of representing your country and how it should be a cricketer’s priority in the day and age of franchised cricket leagues taking the world by storm.

"No! Your country is your priority. Take the example of Kagiso. How many Test matches has he played and he still continues to play IPL. If Gerald Coetzee today thinks that he is getting a million rands and what he should do now, that will be his biggest mistake," Ntini said.