Kagiso Rabada Achieves Milestone in Test Cricket Against Australia

Kagiso Rabada made headlines by becoming the fourth South African bowler to take over 200 wickets on home soil during the Test match against Australia. His impressive performance included taking 2 wickets for 33 runs in the first innings. Rabada's return to the team was a significant boost, and he showcased his speed by bowling at 155 km/h, placing him among the fastest bowlers in Test history. With a total of 342 wickets in 74 Tests, Rabada continues to solidify his status as one of the best bowlers of his generation. Discover more about his achievements and statistics in this article.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 22, 2026, 17:02 IST

Rabada's Return Boosts South Africa

South Africa felt the absence of their right-arm fast bowler Kagiso Rabada in the first Test of the ongoing three-match series against Australia. Rabada has been a crucial player for the team over the years. However, his return for the second Test brought relief to the home side. On the fourth day of the Test, Rabada achieved a significant milestone, becoming the fourth South African bowler to take 200 or more wickets on home soil. After returning to competitive cricket post-IPL, Rabada claimed 2 wickets for 33 runs in 12 overs during the first innings, dismissing Nick Maddinson and Mitchell Starc.

Fourth Fast Bowler to Reach 200 Wickets at Home

With this achievement, Rabada reached 200 wickets in his 38th Test match in South Africa, boasting an impressive average of 20.06. Throughout his career, he has taken 5 or more wickets in an innings on 10 occasions and has claimed 10 or more wickets in a match four times. His best bowling figures in an innings stand at 7 wickets for 112 runs. By reaching this double-century of wickets, Rabada joins the elite club of legendary bowlers like Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, and Shaun Pollock. The record for the most Test wickets on South African soil is held by Steyn, who took 261 wickets.

Rabada's Impressive Bowling Speed

In addition to his wicket-taking prowess, Rabada astonished everyone with his bowling speed during the match. He clocked a delivery at 155 kilometers per hour, proving that he should not be underestimated. This speed left explosive left-handed opener Travis Head completely beaten. Rabada's performance places him among the top five fastest bowlers in Test cricket history. The record for the fastest delivery is held by Australia's Mitchell Starc, who bowled at 160.4 kilometers per hour against New Zealand in 2015. Following him are West Indies' Andy Roberts (159.5 km/h), Fidel Edwards (157.7 km/h), and Mitchell Johnson (156.8 km/h), with Rabada rounding out the top five.

Rabada's Career Statistics

Regarded as one of the best bowlers of his era, Rabada has taken a total of 342 wickets in 74 Test matches, maintaining an average of 22.01. He has achieved the remarkable feat of taking 5 wickets in an innings 17 times and has claimed 10 or more wickets in a match on four occasions. His best bowling analysis remains 7 wickets for 112 runs. Rabada ranks as the fourth most successful bowler in South African Test history.