Kagiso Rabada Talks About His Plans For The ICC World Cup 2023; Touts Team Cohesion As Most Important Factor

South African pacer spearhead Kagiso Rabada talked about his plans for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023. He also opened up about the lessons he learned from the 2019 World Cup, stating that team cohesion is the most important factor.

Kagiso Rabada will be one of the key factors for South Africa going into the ICC World Cup 2023. In the absence of Anrich Nortje, the responsibility solely will be on Kagiso Rabada to put his team on top with the ball and lead the attack in Indian conditions.

South Africa are yet to win any ICC event and they would be hoping to break the shackles this time around and win the ICC World Cup 2023. For that to happen, Kagiso Rabada no doubt will be the crucial aspect, considering the kind of bowler he is and his experience in Indian conditions.

Kagiso Radaba has a fair amount of experience in Indian conditions due to his stint with IPL teams. The lanky pacer has so far played 92 ODIs and has taken 144 wickets. He has rattled the batting lineups of many oppositions and it’s safe to say that he will be the threatening force in the event.

Kagiso Rabada said that going into the ICC World Cup 2023, South Africa unlike other years has belief in themselves this time that they can win the competition. He also talked about the lessons that he learned from the last World Cup and admitted that as a leader he needs to make sure that he sets a template of playing together as a collective unit.

He explained: “One thing we have never lacked as South Africans is belief, so going into the tournament we do believe we can win it. We’ve got the players to do so, so hopefully we can make our first final and win this competition.

“It’s going to be hard but it’s going to be really enjoyable. It’s exciting to have the best players in the world playing against each other and competing for one prize, and we are up for the challenge.

“The 2019 World Cup was my first and I wasn’t successful at all. The lesson I took from that is that team cohesion is the most important factor, because individuals don’t win World Cups, teams do.

“The older I have become and the more caps I have, the more I realise that I am a leader in that environment. Through knowing my own strengths and reinforcing them, knowing what makes me tick and through lending an ear to other players, I want to help set how we play as a collective.”

It’s just about focus and not letting the crowd get to you – Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada also talked about the Indian conditions and crowd factors in the country. He highlighted that managing noise and distractions are important as an individual going into the World Cup.

He added: “It does help when you understand the conditions in the various grounds, and having played in India for all these years, it gives you a familiarity on how to go about your tactics. The majority of our team has played in India, but for those who haven’t played as much, it is important to share experiences.

“In India you have drier conditions and they are batter-friendly wickets, so it’s about finding ways to be successful. Managing the noise and distractions is really important and I think it’s just about focus and not letting the crowd get to you.

“But at the same time, it is exciting to be playing in packed stadiums with tens of thousands of screaming fans – it’s an honour.”

South Africa will open their ICC World Cup 2023 campaign against Sri Lanka on Monday (2nd October).