Mohali to Chattogram – Rabada’s South Africa rollercoaster

Rabada's Road to Redemption

South Africa's Test series win over Bangladesh in Chattogram on Thursday marked a significant milestone for the team's fortunes in the subcontinent. It was a victory that would not have been possible without the outstanding performances of their number one-ranked bowler, Kagiso Rabada.

With 14 wickets at an astonishing average of 9.00, Rabada was instrumental in securing the 2-0 victory over Bangladesh. His dominance with the ball was a far cry from the challenges that South Africa faced nine years ago in Mohali, when they were expecting the worst from the Indian subcontinent.

A New Era of Success

Rabada made his debut in the same match in Mohali, and since then, he has become a key figure in the team's resurgence. With 66 Tests under his belt, he is the record-holder for the fastest bowler to reach 300 wickets.

South Africa's victory in Mirpur last week was their first in a Test in Asia in over 10 years, and it marked a significant change in the team's approach. Coach Shukri Conrad said, "Teams go to the subcontinent better prepared… They're less fearful of the sub because they have found different ways of skinning the cat here; either through a power game or through an upskilling in terms of the demons that once were."

A New Generation of Talent

The success of South Africa in the subcontinent can be attributed to a new generation of talent that has emerged in the team. Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, and Lungi Ngidi have all played key roles in the team's success, and the experience of older players like Rabada and Du Plessis has helped to guide them.

Tristan Stubbs, who scored a century in Chattogram, is one of the new crop of players who are making an impact for the team. His performance, along with those of Mulder and Tony de Zorzi, has given hope to the South African cricket fraternity.

A Changing Landscape

Bangladesh, who were once considered the easiest Asian team to overcome in the subcontinent, have proven to be a more formidable opponent in recent times. They have won series in Pakistan and India this year, and their home series loss to Sri Lanka was their first in over a decade.

South Africa's victory over Bangladesh was a testament to their growing strength in the subcontinent. However, the lessons of the past cannot be ignored, and the team will need to continue to work hard to maintain their momentum.

Rabada's Reflections

Rabada spoke about the challenges that the team faced in the past, saying, "You want me to answer that? To give you a bible? There's so much that's happened on that journey. I don't know what to say, man. I sound like a stuck record, but it's a dream come true – to play for South Africa and to play with my heroes, because those guys were my heroes growing up and I played with them."

He also reflected on the camaraderie within the team, saying, "We play for each other, and the main thing is the badge… Because you're only here for a limited amount of time. So we respect each other. Everyone's allowed to be who they are. But we also draw the line on what we agree on in terms of playing and how we want to conduct ourselves as a team."

A New Era of Success Begins

South Africa's victory over Bangladesh marks the beginning of a new era of success for the team. With Rabada at the helm, they will look to continue their winning streak and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the subcontinent.

As Rabada said, "We're here to play and entertain, but players go through ups and downs. I don't think people understand that. I'm not playing the sympathy card, but we go through a lot of emotions."