DC duo Rabada, Nortje bring Protea fire to IPL

South Africa national team colleagues Rabada and Nortje, currently representing northern side Delhi in the T20 league, have time and again unsettled rival batsmen with their sheer venom. Their partnership at the powerplay and death has been fairly destructive so much so that the pundits have referred to the combination as “one of the most lethal pairs” in IPL history.

However, tournament’s highest wicket-taker Rabada, who has 21 scalps in 10 matches, isn’t getting carried away and is keen on continuing the ‘purple’ patch.

“Getting called like that is quite something. But at the end of the day, we have a job to do. We have done it well so far,” Rabada told reporters in a virtual press conference.

“When we play, we take it game by game. We don’t think about how lethal we are. That is the last thought in our minds. I would challenge us to perform when it matters – knockout stages. Hopefully, the team qualifies for the play-offs soon,” added the 25-year-old ahead of Delhi’s fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Abu Dhabi.

Rabada’s pace-bowling partner Nortje has been a revelation this IPL season despite joining the franchise as a last-minute replacement for English all-rounder Woakes. The DC newcomer has been sending down high-speed deliveries at ease, earning an impressive tally of 12 wickets from nine games thus far.

Rabada praised compatriot Nortje to the skies, saying: “It is amazing to bowl with him. He has come a long way, but still has a long way to go. He has got a lot of pace and has done really well. He is always willing to learn and open to new ideas. And, I think that is a great trait to have. Both of us give our best for the team.”

The change in host nation – from India to the UAE – for IPL hasn’t bothered Rabada one bit as the bowling attack spearhead has been delivering consistently. But, he admitted that the pitches have been pretty tricky.

“There are only three venues in the UAE, but the surfaces are playing quite differently. The conditions have something for everyone. So, it is just about realising what works for you. It is about bowling according to the pitches and trusting your strengths,” signed off Rabada.