IND vs SA: Allan Donald Likens Kagiso Rabada To Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh

South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada was in fantastic form when he shattered the Indian batting line-up and picked up his 14th 5-wicket haul including 3 big wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer. He has once again proved his worth, something Allan Donald believes is legendary.

Rabada was coming after a decent outing in the ICC Cricket World Cup last year, picking up 13 wickets in 9 matches, but had a little time off the field due to injury. But he made his return with the red ball and went on to shrug off all talks about his injury holding him back from performing at his best.

His skills with the finger and wrist, boosted by an explosive action make him one of the toughest to face just like Dale Steyn, is what Allan Donald had to say. The 57-year-old explained his actual strength which is being able to run the ball away from the batsman and claimed that Kagiso Rabada is already a success.

“Skill is one thing but he has an got amazing ability to run the ball away. He has got some amazing wickets with stunning balls in the first Test match. He was outstanding to watch as he always is and I just think his thirst for success drives his consistency. Anyone who gets success, doesn’t matter what sport he plays, is judged by consistency,” he said in an interation with PTI.

Allan Donald Compares Kagiso Rabada With Pat Cummins

Allan Donald went on to discuss about Kagiso Rabada’s understanding of biomechanics and compared him to World Champions in both ODIs and Tests Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. Not just them but Donald believes that Kagiso Rabada is no less than the likes of Ambrose, Walsh, and Micheal Holding among others.

One of the things helping him do so is his hip and shoulder rotation and he tried to show what actually is inside the biometrics of Rabada’s action and stuff. Donald went to praise the bowler for his ball release and his airtime during his action.

“All genuine quicks have got great hip and shoulder rotation and if you observe him technically, he gets in a fantastic position in the air. We always talk about the launch, how they launch off the floor or how big they get at the crease.”

“Look at other greats like Curtley Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Ian Bishop, Michael Holding all these got off the floor to give them time to pull the trigger and that’s what KG does beautifully. That hang time (off the ground) we talk about.”

Donald highlighted the sound of his run-up, landing, and follow through, one could actually feel how fast Kagiso Rabada can bowl. Donald said he is an absolute genius when it comes to technicality and will soon be able to complete 300 wickets in Test Cricket.

“Also if you see at point of backfoot strike, the hips are slightly closed and open up very very quickly. They don’t spend too much time on backfoot. KG is very quick.” Donald likened Rabada’s hip rotation to that of a top javelin thrower.

“If you listen to his feet, every ball is so quick. KG’s hip rotation is similar to a javelin thrower’s right side release through the impact area. He knows his rhythm and action so well so technical point he is solid. He understands biomechanics as much as a Pat Cummins or a Mitchell Starc,” Donald said

Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada will be back in action for South Africa for Dean Elgar’s farewell Test against India at Cape Town’s Newlands Cricket Ground.