South Africa have an advantage heading into ODI World Cup in India because of IPL: Kagiso Rabada

South Africa gun fast bowler Kagiso Rabada reckons the Proteas will have an advantage heading into the ODI World Cup in India because of IPL. Players like Aiden Markram, Rilee Rossouw, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, and Kagiso Rabada have experience of playing in the IPL and know the Indian conditions well.

Ergo, Rabada feels the known conditions will help the South African players in hitting the ground running in the ODI showpiece. Meanwhile, South Africa will look to end their World Cup title drought as they are yet to go all the way in major events.

Rabada added that it is not easy to be successful as a fast bowler in Indian conditions as the pitches are not favorable.

“Playing in India is really tough as a fast bowler on some of those wickets,” said Rabada, who has played 89 ODIs and taken 137 wickets in the format.

“I guess the challenge now, at the age that I am, is to know (and understand) the basic information that a newbie wouldn’t know. You are always learning and always looking to be as effective as you can be on different wickets.”

“It is all about reading (the pitch) better and that is in combination with the goals that you set. Those two go in tandem – reading the conditions and executing your skills.”

“It sounds very nonchalant and easy to say, but it is a very rigorous process and a tough one. That is the process that I am currently involved in. That is where I am.”

Rabada added that IPL experience will come in handy as the South African players have played at almost all grounds.

“Heading into the World Cup in India, I do think that we have an advantage because we have played in the IPL for so many years. We have played at most of the grounds, if not all, so we understand those conditions.”

The World Cup’s schedule is yet to be released by the BCCI. The tournament is expected to begin on October 5 and the final will be played on November 19.