Reports: Kagiso Rabada likely to miss first week for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020

Kagiso Rabada, who’s ranked No.4 in ICC Test and ODI rankings, recently suffered an injury during the final T20I of the series against Australia on the 26th of February, which led to him being ruled out of action for a period of four weeks.

The Delhi Capitals team hugely rely on the Protea pacer Rabada to break through the batting order of the opposition, like he did last year in IPL 2019. However, In a media release by the ICC, it has been reported that Kagiso Rabada’s groin strain has been confirmed by Cricket South Africa’s chief medical officer. And hence he might miss out on action for four weeks.

That four weeks time period shall include Australia ODIs and the three-match India ODI series. Although the recovery timeline will match with the schedule of the Indian Premier League 2020, it is highly unlikely that the pacer will kick start the Delhi Capitals campaign this season that includes Capitals’ matches against the Kings XI on March 30 and the Knight Riders on April 3.

Kagiso Rabada was Delhi Capitals’ star player last year

The Delhi Capitals relied on him to pick up early wickets and also to close out the death overs in 2019. He was able to pick 25 wickets in just 12 matches. Rabada, the quickie from South Africa is one amongst the youngest pacers to find success in the international arena and in IPL. The Delhi Capitals led by the young Shreyas Iyer will have a hard time replacing Rabada if he fails to recover well before the start of IPL.

Delhi Capitals in IPL relies on the consistency of Iyer, the fiery instinctive nature of Pant, and the deadly skills of Kagiso Rabada. However, this year several experienced players made their way into DC as in the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane.

The DC team will hope that the South African pacer will be fit and back to his usual rhythm. South Africa haven’t named a replacement for Rabada yet. In his absence, the fast-bowling duties against Australia will rest on Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Beuran Hendricks, and Lutho Sipamla, along with the medium-pace of Andile Phehlukwayo.