FAST AND FURIOUS
Pacers can’t be nice to batsmen, says Rabada
Kolkata, June 6: He might have landed in trouble for his on-field aggressive behaviour but South African speedster Kagiso Rabada says the perception that he is short-tempered is not true and it is just passion which drives him as a bowler.
The 25-year-old was suspended for the seriesdeciding final Test against England earlier this year after collecting a fourth demerit point in a 24month period for celebrating too close to visiting captain Joe Root after claiming his wicket in the third Test.
“Lot of people feel like I’ve a short temper. I don’t think so, it’s just passion. Also if you look at sledging it’s part of the game. That’s what every fast bowler does,” Rabada said during an Instagram Live chat with Delhi Capitals on Friday.
“There’s no fast bowler who is going to be nice to a batter. It’s not like you being personal and telling people about their family or whatever.”
Following Rabada’s suspension, South Africa went on to lose the final Test and concede the series 1-3.
The pacer had collected two of his previous demerit points during the 2018 Test series against Australia when he had screamed into David Warner’s face and brushed shoulders with Steve Smith.
The third incident was when he used provocative language in sending off India’s Shikhar Dhawan after dismissing him during an ODI in the same year.
Rabada was also banned for accumulation of demerit points during South Africa’s tour of England in 2017.
“You celebrate the wicket and after the game you are going to shake the guy’s hand and respect the craft. Most of the time, I’m not really aggro on the field. But that’s just International cricket. Every player wants to be the best. That’s just the drive coming out,” he said. — PTI