Kagiso Rabada has etched his name in cricket history by becoming the fastest bowler to reach 300 Test wickets based on balls bowled, achieving the milestone in just 11,817 deliveries. The South African pace sensation is now among the greats, surpassing legends like Waqar Younis (12,602 balls) and Dale Steyn (12,605 balls).
Rabada, who made his Test debut in November 2015 against India, continues to be a cornerstone of South Africa’s bowling attack. By taking his 300th wicket during his 65th Test, he became the third-fastest South African to reach the milestone, trailing only Steyn and Allan Donald.
Rabada’s Record-Breaking Journey
At just 29 years old, Rabada’s meteoric rise is highlighted by his ability to bowl fast, swinging deliveries with pinpoint accuracy. His remarkable achievement places him among the world’s elite fast bowlers, including greats like Malcolm Marshall and Allan Donald.
In the match where he claimed his 300th scalp, Rabada played a pivotal role in dismantling Bangladesh’s batting lineup, with key dismissals of Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das, underscoring his continued dominance.
Most Wickets for South Africa in Test Cricket:
- Dale Steyn – 439 wickets in 93 Tests
- Shaun Pollock – 421 wickets in 108 Tests
- Makhaya Ntini – 390 wickets in 101 Tests
- Allan Donald – 330 wickets in 72 Tests
- Morne Morkel – 309 wickets in 86 Tests
- Kagiso Rabada – 301 wickets in 65 Tests*
Rabada’s consistency is reflected in his career statistics, where he overtook the legendary English all-rounder Ian Botham, who retired with 528 international wickets. Rabada now boasts 529 wickets, further cementing his legacy.