Kagiso Rabada feels South Africa have advantage in upcoming ODI World Cup in India due to IPL

South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada believes that his team will be in benefit heading into the ODI World Cup in India later in the year. Rabada said that the South African players will be aware of the Indian conditions as most of them have played in the Indian Premier League. The 28-year-old is currently enjoying his off time from cricket ahead of the white-ball series against Australia at home starting on August 30.

Rabada has also been a regular part of IPL as he played 69 IPL matches and has picked 106 wickets at an average of 20.74 and an economy of 8.42. He is also the fastest bowler to reach a milestone of 100 wickets in a cash-rich league as took only 64 matches to achieve this feat. However, the South African pacer didn’t had a great outing in the 2019 World Cup in England as he picked 11 wickets in nine matches at an average of 36.09 as his team was out of the league stage itself.

“Heading into the World Cup in India, I do think that we have an advantage because we have played in the IPL for so many years. We have played at most of the grounds, if not all, so we understand those conditions,” Rabada was quoted as saying by IOL.

‘Playing in India is really tough as a fast bowler…’ – Rabada

Speaking further, Rabada also mentioned the challenges for the fast bowlers in India. The speedster had played seven matches in India where he scalped 13 wickets at an average of 25.85 and an economy rate of 5.18. He said it is difficult to bowl in India on some wickets. 

“Playing in India is really tough as a fast bowler on some of those wickets. I guess the challenge now, at the age that I am, is to know (and understand) the basic information that a newbie wouldn’t know. You are always learning and always looking to be as effective as you can be on different wickets. It is all about reading (the pitch) better and that is in combination with the goals that you set,” Rabada said.