Kagiso Rabada didn’t bowl in the closing stages of Australia’s run-chase in their World Cup semi-final against South Africa at the Eden Gardens despite the match getting close. Here is why.
As Australia continued to lose regular wickets in a thrilling low-scoring match at Eden Gardens, all eyes were on Kagiso Rabada, the leader of South Africa’s bowling attack. But he was nowhere to be seen as Themba Bavuma tried all his tricks but could not stop Australia from crossing 213 points. World cup final.
After bowling 5 overs in the first powerplay, Rabada bowled his second in the 33rd over. Steve Smith then managed to beat Gerald Coetzee in the next period with a shot that he admitted was “not the best”, giving South Africa a chance.
With just four wickets and 39 runs remaining, everyone naturally assumed that Rabada, the most senior seamer in the team, should take on the responsibility of taking South Africa home.
But surprisingly, he retreated from the attack after just one over in the second over. South Africa were just three wickets away from their first semi-final victory, but he never returned to bowling and this was his last match and his last at the World Cup.
Coetzee ran at full speed with youthful exuberance, scoring runs in eight overs to pull South Africa back into the match. At the other end, Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj achieved over quota before Bavuma lost to Aiden Markram. Eventually even Marco Jansen received the bowl, but not Rabada.
Although people suspected an injury, Rabada was on the field at the end, running around and stopping the ball without any noticeable discomfort, confusing the crowd.
It was South Africa coach Rob Walters who revealed the reason for Rabada’s departure from the bowling ring in the post-match press conference. “KG (Kagiso Rabda) had a bruised heel. “So we didn’t see as much of him in competition as we had hoped,” Walters said. .
Walters said that when Rabada returned to bowl in the sixth over, he was limping and felt unwell. “When you watch him in the park, you see him shambling around. “He wasn’t 100 percent in his return,” Walters said.
Walters lamented the fact that South Africa were unable to utilize Rabada as well as they would have liked, but insisted his absence was not a key point in the match. “That obviously led us to sign Aiden (Markram), but Aiden was outstanding throughout the game. So obviously a healthy and capable KG, he was our main player during this tournament. Showed he is one of the best bowlers and has been playing for South Africa for some time.
“It was disappointing. To be honest, I don’t think it was the deciding moment of the match. But of course it was disappointing that we couldn’t reach him in the normal way.”
In the end, Australia crossed the line on the second ball of the 48th over with three wickets in hand. One can only wonder what would have happened if Rabada had been able to bowl when he died.
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