Delhi Capitals (DC) have suffered a big blow a day after the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 auction as their pacer Kagiso Rabada has confirmed that he will be missing the start of the T20 league to play international fixtures. The BCCI is yet to announce the schedule of IPL 2021 but multiple reports have confirmed that the T20 league will kick off in the second week of April.
As per the schedule, Pakistan are slated to tour South Africa for a white-ball series, starting April 2. The last fixture will be played on April 16. Given the present protocols and restrictions, the SA cricketers will be ruled out for at least the first 2 weeks of IPL if they play all the matches against the Men in Green.
Traditionally, many cricket boards have allowed their players to skip international fixtures for IPL. But Rabada is keen to represent Proteas. “Country comes first and I may miss a week of the IPL if the Pakistan series is scheduled at the same time the IPL starts. Delhi has been my home in India, but national duty is a priority,” the right-arm pacer told iol.co.za.
Rabada has been DC’s lead bowler for past few years and bagged the Purple Cap in IPL 2020. He scalped 30 wickets in 17 matches, which included 2 four-fors. Rabada was well assisted by fellow pacer Anrich Nortje, who scalped 22 wickets in his maiden IPL season. He is also in line to play the white-ball series and DC could miss the services of their top 2 pacers for the initial phase of the league.
Rabada, who had first joined DC in 2017, was retained by them the next year for Rs 4.2 crore by the use of Right to Match (RTM) card. He missed that season due to an injury and returned next year.
