Kagiso Rabada has seen it all in the last 12 months — the sting of a suspension, the glory of a historic World Test Championship title, and now the thrill of steaming in at 150kmph in the IPL.
The 30-year-old South African fast bowler, currently shining for Gujarat Titans, sat down with PTI to reflect on a truly eventful period in his career. From missing a big chunk of last year’s IPL due to a one-month ban for recreational drug use (cocaine), Rabada bounced back remarkably to play a key role in South Africa’s maiden WTC triumph in June 2025.
Speaking about the tough phase, Rabada shared the valuable life lesson he took away: “What I learned from that is not to take people’s opinion seriously… Sometimes things are blown out of proportion. The things that really matter are the people close to you and how you feel about yourself. You’re not going to make everyone happy, and you shouldn’t try to.”
The Proteas star, who is closing in on 600 international wickets, missed South Africa’s away Test series against India late last year due to a rib injury. But he’s making up for it now, ripping through IPL batters with pace and bounce. With 21 wickets so far, he remains one of the leading wicket-takers this season.
Looking ahead, Rabada is being smart with his workload. After the IPL, he has opted out of leagues like Major League Cricket and The Hundred to stay fresh for a packed international calendar — including home Tests against Australia and England, and preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“My body is feeling pretty decent, touchwood,” he said. “As you get older, you have to work harder on the smaller things. It’s about being wise around what I play and when.”
From the lows to the highs, Rabada seems more grounded and focused than ever — a fast bowler at peace with himself while still breathing fire on the field.
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