Kagiso Rabada’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary, and his latest milestone—reaching 300 Test wickets in record time—cements his place as one of cricket’s most lethal pacers. Rabada has shattered the mold by reaching this landmark in just 11,817 deliveries, quicker than any bowler in history. Waqar Younis, who held the previous record, needed 785 more balls. It’s a feat that’s not only a testament to Rabada’s skill but also his relentless drive and ability to thrive as a world-class bowler in a constantly evolving game.
Rabada’s strike rate of 39.2 is phenomenal, easily the best among bowlers who have reached 300 wickets. When you consider his competitors—Dale Steyn, Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins—Rabada’s numbers still stand out. Since his Test debut in 2015, no bowler with over 100 wickets has maintained a lower strike rate. His is a mix of speed, precision, and adaptability that few others can match. And it’s not just about the numbers—Rabada has developed into the bowler who carries South Africa’s attack, a role he fulfills with a resilience and skill that often go unappreciated.
Where Rabada’s journey differs from others is in the role he’s had to play for South Africa. Unlike Cummins, who has the support of a versatile Australian attack with over 1,000 combined Test wickets, or Bumrah, backed by some of the world’s best spinners, Rabada has often been South Africa’s lone pace weapon. In a sense, he’s the solo gunslinger tasked with taking down the opposition’s batting line-up, often on his own. Since 2020, he hasn’t been partnered by another pace bowler with over 100 Test wickets, a rare situation in modern Test cricket, which underscores just how important he’s been to South Africa’s success.
This role has pushed Rabada to develop into a bowler with a remarkable understanding of the game, able to adapt his skills to suit different conditions. His average of 10.05 against the lower order (batters 8-11) over the past decade is the best among 31 bowlers with 30 or more such wickets, with a strike rate of just 17.54 balls per wicket. Against top-order batters, he remains a force, averaging 27.17, placing him in elite company. It’s not surprising, then, that Rabada has had 10 series of at least two Tests where he’s maintained a strike rate under 40, the highest rate of achieving such results among bowlers with 10 or more series. It’s clear he can swing a game just as quickly as the ball itself.
Beyond statistics, Rabada brings a rare combination of experience and maturity to South Africa’s Test team. His thoughtful reflections after reaching his 300th wicket—remarking on the unexpected seam movement in Mirpur and the balance between bat and ball in Test cricket—show a bowler who deeply understands his craft. While he expressed surprise at the nature of the pitch in Bangladesh, he quickly adjusted, taking the necessary steps to ensure South Africa’s dominance in the match. His focus was on how to win the game, even when the world was watching his every delivery for a milestone. When Mushfiqur Rahim fell to Rabada in the 20th over, handing him his 300th wicket, it was clear Rabada wasn’t only playing for records; he was playing to elevate South Africa’s performance.
Rabada’s milestone also invites comparisons to South African greats like Steyn, Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald, Makhaya Ntini, and Morne Morkel. He joins them as the sixth South African to reach 300 Test wickets, and while these legends each carved out their own legacies, Rabada’s journey is distinctive. His strike rate and bowling average over the last 20 Tests have shown a return to his best form, an impressive feat after a lean period when he averaged over 33. Since June 2021, his average has been a stunning 19.09 with a strike rate of 34.2, numbers that signal he’s very much in his prime.
As Rabada continues his journey, it’s difficult to argue against his place in cricket’s pantheon of fast-bowling legends. He embodies the qualities that make Test cricket the pinnacle of the sport: skill, endurance, and the ability to perform under pressure. South Africa will continue to rely on him, especially as they look to challenge in the World Test Championship. With every wicket, Rabada doesn’t just add to his legacy—he fortifies the future of South African cricket, showing that the art of pace bowling is alive and well, and that he’s ready to carry the torch for as long as it takes.
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