Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes South Africa’s gun fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is going to be a major threat to the Indian team in the upcoming five-match T20I series. Rabada has savored success while playing in the IPL in the Indian conditions and he will look to continue the good show while playing for the national team.
Rabada scalped 23 wickets in 13 matches for Punjab Kings at an average of 13.65 and economy rate of 8.45 in the recently concluded IPL and finished as the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
Rabada is known for his accurate line and length and he has done a fine job for the Proteas. Pathan reckons South Africa can utilize him like India utilizes their ace paceman Jasprit Bumrah.
Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports show Game Plan when he was if Rabada is the pack leader of South African bowling attack, “Absolutely, there is no second opinion about that. His IPL has been very good, he is in form as well. He has regained the form he had lost a little. He is an extremely quality bowler, he will give you overs in the powerplay and bowl yorkers at the death. You can use him like Bumrah is used by the Indian team.”
“He has the pace and the pitched-up deliveries that he bowls are extremely fast and you get a lot of wickets on Indian pitches if you bowl the fuller deliveries fast. So, he is a very big threat.”
On the other hand, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri had a different opinion as he said Indian players have the experience of facing Rabada in the IPL and they are aware of his strengths and weaknesses. Ergo, he feels the right-arm pacer won’t be a major threat.
“I don’t think as much as it was say 2-3 years ago because people have seen him. They have seen a lot of him even in IPL cricket. What will be interesting to see is how fresh he is, if he is tired then the effect he has on the Indian batting lineup won’t be the same.”
“But experience-wise he has got all the goods. He will dish it out there but as opposed to years gone by, I don’t think that much of a threat.”
The first T20I between India and South Africa will be played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Thursday.
