Rabada to miss Australia, India ODIs due to groin strain
A groin strain has ruled South African pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada out of the upcoming ODI series against Australia and the India tour next month. The 24-year-old sustained the strain during the recently-concluded T20I series against Australia. No replacement has been named yet in the squad. Meanwhile, Temba Bavuma has recovered from the hamstring issue and will be available for the ODI series.
"Rabada sustained a groin muscle strain in the T20 series. The injury means that he will take approximately four weeks to heal, which effectively rules him out of both the Australia and India ODI series," Cricket South Africa Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shuaib Manjra, said.
While hosts South Africa lost the series 1-2 to Australia, Rabada's bowling display was below par. The right arm seamer was wicketless in the series opener, taking one wicket apiece in the second and third T20I respectively. All in all, he leaked 114 runs in 66 balls throughout the three-match series. Rabada will look to bounce back after recovering from his injury.
In Rabada's absence, the fast-bowling duties against Australia will rest on Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Beuran Hendricks, and Lutho Sipamla, along with medium-pacer Andile Phehlukwayo. The three-match series which begins on 29 February will be played in Paarl, Bloemfontein, and Potchefstroom. The subsequent series against India will also consist of three ODIs between March 12 and 18.
Since Rabada is out of action for four weeks, he will likely regain fitness ahead of the upcoming IPL edition which will kick off on March 29. He was the highest wicket-taker for Delhi Capitals and overall the second-highest after Imran Tahir in the IPL 2019. He took 25 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 14.72. It also included two four-fors.
