My father didn’t want me to get satisfied with an IPL contract, says Kagiso Rabada

Ever since he denied MS Dhoni in getting 11 runs from the last over in his maiden ODI game in India back in 2015, everybody knew that Kagiso Rabada is one to watch out for. After 40 One-day games for South Africa, Rabada has 65 wickets to his name. He transformed his white-ball credentials into red-ball cricket, picking 71 sticks in 17 Tests.

Rabada is gearing up for his maiden Test at the Lord’s, a ground every young cricketer wants to play at. The 22-year old has been in England for a while now. Before the start of the ICC Champions Trophy, England invited the Proteas to play a 3-match ODI series. Unfortunately, for Rabada and his team, they fell short in the ODI series, the Champions Trophy and then the T20 series last week. Now, the last leg of the tour, a four-match Test series, beckons on Thursday in London.

In February this year, Rabada was fetched by Delhi Daredevils for almost a million dollars. It was a proud moment for this young fast bowler but his father pushed him for greater glory. Rabada Senior wanted his son to focus on the longevity at the highest level rather than getting excited about his first IPL paycheck. In an interview with former England skipper Nasser Hussain for Sportsmail, Rabada spoke about cricket being an ongoing battle.

“Yes, definitely. It’s an ongoing battle. There are lots of ups and downs, both on and off the field. A lot of it is mental and you have to work your game out. It can get stressful at times. But that’s why we play the game,” said Rabada when asked if he agrees with his dad.

First encounter with cricket

Rabada has always been an out and out pace bowler since he took up the game. He says that he used to throw the ball really quickly which impressed his cricket coach at his school.

“I was nine and passing a rugby ball around after school. One of my friends said: ‘The coach wants you to try cricket.’ It started from there. I tried to throw the ball as quick as I could, then I learned you have to keep your arm straight,” said the fast bowler when asked why he picked cricket.

Rabada, who picked 13 wickets in the last Test he played against England in early 2016, will be the leader of the South African attack during the course of the summer. The lanky bowler will relish playing in seaming conditions of England and would love to leave a mark.