South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is set to miss the ODI series against Australia and also the short tour of India next month due to a groin strain. The fast bowler suffered the injury during the third and final T20I against Australia in Cape Town on Wednesday.
South Africa’s team medical officer Dr Shuaib Manjra confirmed on Friday that Rabada had suffered a “significant” strain which would need about four weeks to heal. Cricket South Africa (CSA) are yet to announce a replacement for the ODI series.
“Kagiso (Rabada) sustained a groin muscle strain in the T20 series against Australia, he was assessed by the medical staff, assisted by an MRI scan. The significant injury means that he will take approximately four weeks to heal, which effectively rules him out of both the Australia and India ODI series. The CSA medical staff will ensure his effective and expeditious recovery,” he said.
The fast bowler had an average T20I series against Australia with only two wickets in three matches. He conceded 114 runs after bowling a total of 11 overs. However, the youngster had a stunning last season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he played for Delhi Capitals.
He was their leading wicket-taker with 25 wickets but his season ended abruptly after being recalled by South Africa when he complained of a back niggle. DC will play their first match of the season on March 30 against Kings XI Punjab at home. With all this injury, it is quite unlikely that he will play in IPL this season.
Rabada has played 43 Tests, 75 ODIs and 24 T20Is so far since making his international debut in 2014 and taken 344 wickets across formats.
Meanwhile, a good news for South Africa in the end as Temba Bavuma has recovered from the hamstring issue that had kept him out of the T20Is against Australia. He will be available for the ODI leg of the tour.
Proteas will play three ODIs against Australia ending on March 7, and will then fly to India for three more matches between March 12 and 18.
