From Lord’s to Lahore, Rabada ready to lead Proteas’ WTC defence

THE YEAR 2000. Or Y2K. A computer bug which petrified the world into stockpiling food and sanitary supplies.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

PROTEAS fast bowler Kagiso Rabada.

(Red Bull)

It did not stop Hollywood superstars Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston from tying the knot. Or Christina Aguilera winning Best New Artist at the 42nd Grammy Awards at the turn of the millennium.

The Proteas also won their first - and still only - Test series in India when Nicky Boje spun Hansie Cronje's Proteas to an innings and 71-run-victory in the second Test in Bengaluru.

Kagiso Rabada was just four years old at the time, and probably more interested in the Playstation 2 gaming console that was just released, than anything happening on the cricket field.

"We want to be the first team to win in India," Rabada tells Independent Newspapers in an exclusive interview organised by Red Bull.

When I interject and inform Rabada that the Proteas' have indeed conquered the Asian fortress, he smiles and responds with "Oh ok, hopefully we can take some of their blessings."

The Proteas' record in Pakistan is only marginally better with the last of only two series victories having been achieved way back in 2007/08.

Rabada's memory loss may be due to his personal experience with joyous moments on the subcontinent being rare. Since his debut in Mohali a decade ago, the 30-year-old has yet to be on the winning side in a single Test - let alone series - in either Pakistan or India.