In the fast-paced world of cricket, where records are made and broken with every match, South African pacer Kagiso Rabada has etched his name in history. His remarkable feat in One Day International (ODI) cricket has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community. Let’s dive into how Kagiso Rabada achieved a monumental milestone, becoming the fifth-fastest South African to claim 150 wickets in ODIs.
The backdrop to Rabada’s remarkable achievement was the ICC World Cup 2023, where South Africa faced the Netherlands in the 15th match of the tournament. The setting was the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. South Africa won the toss and chose to field in a rain-curtailed game.
The Proteas’ fast bowlers proved to be a formidable force against the Netherlands’ batting lineup. The conditions favoured pace, and South Africa’s quicks exploited them masterfully. At the forefront of this assault was Kagiso Rabada, who displayed impeccable line and length in his bowling.
Rabada made a decisive impact early in the game by removing Vikramjit Singh, giving his side the initial breakthrough. Then, he trapped Bas de Leede in a leg-before-wicket (LBW) dismissal, further solidifying South Africa’s control. Rabada achieved the coveted milestone of 150 ODI wickets with this second wicket.
Kagiso Rabada’s journey to 150 ODI wickets took him 95 matches. This remarkable accomplishment places him in an elite club of South African bowlers. He joins the ranks of Allan Donald, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, and Dale Steyn in this prestigious list. Notably, Rabada took the same number of matches as the legendary Dale Steyn to reach this milestone, emphasizing his remarkable consistency and impact on South African cricket.
Returning to the ongoing match, South Africa dominated the Netherlands. Their pace battery, led by Rabada, continued to impress, swiftly claiming five wickets. Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, and Gerald Coetzee each contributed with a wicket. South Africa’s performance in the ICC World Cup 2023 had been impeccable up to this point, and their winning streak appeared poised to continue.
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As we look at the historical perspective of this achievement, it’s important to note that Allan Donald holds the title of the fastest South African to reach 150 ODI wickets. He achieved this milestone in just 89 ODIs, showcasing his immense talent. Imran Tahir closely followed, also achieving this feat in 89 matches. Morne Morkel took 91 games to reach 150 wickets, while Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada stand side by side with their 95-match journeys.
Matches Played To Take 150 Wickets
- Allan Donald 89
- Imran Tahir 89
- Morne Morkel 91
- Dale Steyn 95
- Kagiso Rabada 95
