South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has made it clear that he will choose his country over the Indian Premier League (IPL) if the home series against Pakistan clashes with the IPL 2021 in April hours after the auction for IPL 2021 concluded on Thursday (February 18) in Chennai.
With the dates for the forthcoming 14th edition of the IPL 2021 yet to be finalized, South Africa is slated to host Pakistan for three ODIs and four T20Is between April 2 and 16 and it may force the Proteas players to miss the first week of the lucrative tournament in India.
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It could lead to Delhi Capitals missing the services of their two South African players Rabada and Anrich Nortje with the latter is clear with his stands to play the white-ball series against Pakistan if the IPL 14 clashes with the home series in April 2021.
The speedster is an important cog in DC’s line-up as he was the highest wicket-taker in the IPL 2020 with 30 wickets at an average of 18.26.
However, the 25-year-old said he loves to play for his second home – Delhi in India in the tournament and even he is excited for but insisted that “the national duty is his first priority.”
As reported by News24, Rabada stated: “The country comes first, and I may miss a week of IPL if the tour is scheduled at the same time or we’re playing at the same time the IPL starts. My priority is with the national side, although I still love playing for Delhi again.”
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He continued, “They’re the only IPL team I’ve played for and that’s my home in India. I’m looking forward to going there, but that time will come but at the moment, the national duty is first priority.”
Meanwhile, Rabada will be soon seen in action for the Lions in the Cricket South Africa Franchise T20 Challenge starting Friday (February 19) in Durban and he is looking forward to playing in the tournament.
He signed off by saying, “It’s good to be back at the Lions. I grew up in this system through all the levels and it’s good to be back to play with some of the guys I played with at the other levels.
It’s good to contribute to the team that’s close to my heart. I thoroughly enjoy this environment. It's been home to me and I’m not planning on going anywhere.”
