South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada achieved the milestone of 500 wickets in international cricket, becoming the seventh bowler from his country to accomplish this feat on December 26. Rabada reached this notable landmark during the first Test between India and South Africa at Centurion.
The 28-year-old showcased exceptional bowling prowess, concluding the first day with impressive figures of 5/44 in 17 overs at an economy rate of 2.58. He claimed crucial wickets, including those of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Shardul Thakur.
With 218 international appearances to his name, the 28-year-old has amassed 500 wickets at an average of 24.79 and a strike rate of 35.19. His most outstanding bowling performance is reflected in his best figures of 7/112. Shaun Pollock, with 823 wickets, holds the record for the highest number of international wickets for the Proteas.
In his 61 Test matches for the Proteas, Rabada has secured 285 wickets at an average of 22.10, boasting a best figure of 7/112. He stands as the seventh-highest wicket-taker for the Proteas in Test cricket.
In 101 ODIs, Rabada has notched up 157 wickets for the Proteas, maintaining an average of 27.77, with his best figures standing at 6/16. He currently ranks as the ninth-highest wicket-taker for the Proteas in ODIs.
In 56 T20Is, he has claimed 58 wickets at an average of 29.87, showcasing his best figures of 3/20. He holds the position of the sixth-highest wicket-taker for the Proteas in T20Is.
Shifting to the match, South Africa opted to bowl first, and their pacers created difficulties for India, reducing them to 24/3. However, a partnership between Kohli (38 runs in 64 balls, featuring five fours) and Shreyas Iyer (31 runs in 50 balls, including three fours and a six) helped India recover, adding 68 runs.
Subsequently, a brief counterattack led by Shardul (24 runs in 33 balls, with three boundaries) and KL Rahul's resilient unbeaten 70 runs in 105 balls, featuring 10 fours and two sixes, guided India to a total of 208/8 by the end of day one.
Nandre Burger (2/50) and Marco Jansen (1/52) also contributed to the wickets for the Proteas.
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