Kagiso Rabada
South African fast bowler and IPL record-holder for fastest to 100 wickets.
Kagiso Rabada (born 25 May 1995) is a South African professional cricketer who plays as a right-arm fast bowler for the South Africa national team. He also represents MI Cape Town in the SA20 and the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League.
- Role
- Fast Bowler
- Affiliation
- Delhi Capitals (Former)
- Nationality
- South African
- Tenure Era
- 2017-2021
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Rabada made his senior international debut in 2014 and has established himself as one of the leading fast bowlers of his generation. He was a pivotal figure in South Africa's victory in the 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship. By January 2018, he had topped both the ODI and Test bowler rankings aged 22. In July 2018, he became the youngest bowler to take 150 Test wickets. He is one of the few bowlers to have taken a hat-trick in both ODIs and T20Is. In the IPL, he was bought by Delhi Daredevils in 2017, then by Delhi Capitals in the 2018 auction but was ruled out of that season due to a back injury. He was retained ahead of the 2019 season and took 25 wickets, becoming the highest wicket-taker for Delhi Capitals that season. In 2020, he took 30 wickets in 17 matches, becoming the tournament's leading wicket-taker. In April 2023, he took his 100th IPL wicket in his 64th match, becoming the fastest bowler in terms of matches to reach that milestone. In 2025, he was bought by Gujarat Titans. He holds the record for fastest bowler to 50 and 100 IPL wickets in terms of matches.
In Their Own Story
In April 2023, while playing for Punjab Kings (having been bought in the 2022 mega auction), Rabada reached a monumental milestone: his 100th IPL wicket. This feat came in only his 64th match, earning him the distinction of being the fastest bowler in terms of matches to reach this landmark in the competition's history. Although he had moved on from Delhi by then, his earlier contributions laid the groundwork for such records. His journey with Delhi included moments of sheer brilliance, like his 2019 and 2020 seasons where he led wicket charts and propelled the team toward playoff contention. Each spell he bowled carried weight, often shifting momentum in crucial matches.
Reader's Guide
Rabada's IPL career includes stints with Delhi Daredevils (2017), Delhi Capitals (2018–2021), Punjab Kings (2022–2024), and Gujarat Titans (2025). He missed the 2018 season due to a back injury. He was the highest wicket-taker for Delhi Capitals in 2019 with 25 wickets and the overall leading wicket-taker in 2020 with 30 wickets. He became the fastest to 100 IPL wickets in terms of matches. In 2025, he played only four games and took two wickets due to a drug ban. He won the purple cap in IPL 2026 with 29 wickets.
Did You Know?
- Rabada became the youngest bowler to take 150 Test wickets in July 2018.
- He is one of the few bowlers to have taken a hat-trick in both ODIs and T20Is.
- He took his 300th Test wicket on 21 October 2024 against Bangladesh.
- In April 2023, he became the fastest bowler to reach 100 IPL wickets in terms of matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Kagiso Rabada for Delhi Capitals?
He is a South African pacer who played for the squad between 2017 and 2021. His presence defined an era of dominance for the Delhi franchise.
What were his major achievements with the team?
Rabada topped their wicket charts in both 2019 and 2020, taking 30 scalps across 17 matches during the latter year. He also became the tournament's leading wicket-taker in 2020.
Why was he absent from the 2018 season?
Rabada missed the entire 2018 campaign because he was ruled out due to an injury sustained prior to the tournament. He returned to action and was retained by the team ahead of the 2019 campaign.
How much did the team pay to buy him initially?
Delhi Capitals purchased his contract in February 2017 for a fee of INR 50 million. This investment proved valuable as he quickly established himself within the squad.
What IPL records does he hold regarding wickets?
Rabada holds the distinction of being the quickest pacer to reach 50 and 100 career wickets in the tournament. These milestones underscore his rapid impact on the competition.
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