Kagiso Rabada prefers to be himself, looks to conquer Dale Steyn's records

Kagiso Rabada has been one of South Africa’s most promising talents in the recent years. The bowler has been a sheer delight to watch and has emerged to be a threat for all opponents as the Proteas sit at the top of the ICC Test rankings.

South Africa will lock horns against England in a 4 match Test series which kicks off from tomorrow. Kagiso Rabada will definitely be South Africa’s most lethal weapon and the team will bank on him for rattling the English top order.

In an interview with Sportmail, the robust and genuine speedster spoke to former English cricketer and captain Nasser Hussain ahead of the first Test.

When asked about whom does the youngster follow or whose brains does he pick, Rabada mentioned the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Dale Steyn. He praised Anderson’s ability to swing the ball both ways which is a quality every bowler does not have.

“You can learn so much from anyone. A guy like James Anderson, he’s got such a good seam (position), swinging it in and away. A guy like Stuart Broad can nip the ball. Dale got 400 wickets doing one thing, because he’s got the pace.“

“Then you go to the Subcontinent where the bowlers have got skill and different field placings. Australia like to keep things nice and simplistic. It’s seeing what other people do, gathering that information, then seeing what you can do with it.” said Rabada.

On his comparison with Dale Steyn:

Kagiso Rabada is often hailed as the next Dale Steyn due to his similarities with the latter. Rabada has a fluent action like Steyn which looks deadly and his deliveries remain constant between the 140-150 kph mark. When asked about how he feels to be compared to one of the fiercest fast bowlers in the world, Rabada chose to be himself. He pointed out that Steyn is a phenomenal bowler but he would like to stick to himself and create an identity of his own. Having said that, he also mentioned that he would like to taste as much success as Steyn and even more if possible.

“He’s a great bowler, one of the greatest of all time. I like to be myself. I don’t want to be the next Dale Steyn, but I’d love to achieve what he’s achieved — and even more if I can.”