New Delhi, Delhi, India

Kagiso Rabada made a name for himself when he delivered consecutive six yorkers in the 'Super Over' to restrict Kolkata's run-machine Andre Russell and successfully defend mere 10 runs to hand Delhi a victory in the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

Advertisment

However, Rabada, who is the leading wicket-taker in this season so far, feels the team hasn't used him as a proper upfront bowler and rely more on his death bowling. 

When asked what strategy helped him scalp 11 wickets in six games, Rabada said, "Basically, in death, I feel like batsmen come at you more which gives you more chances of getting a wicket. However, in saying that, I also haven't been used really as an upfront bowler. Either I come first change or I come second change. And yes, batsmen are more conservatives."

Rabada made his debut in IPL in 2017 and had clinched just six wickets in the six games, while in this season he is the Purple Cap holder as of now.

Advertisment

Sharing how relieving it is for him as a bowler, Rabada said it feels good to contribute towards the team's success.  

"Yes, as well as excited to come back. In my first season, I did just okay, or a bit more than okay I guess. I feel glad that I have contributed towards the team's success and I am working towards my personal growth and I am glad that it is heading the right direction."

Rabada's wicket tally isn't limited to dismissing just the lower batting order but it includes batsmen who are known for their destructive batting in the T20 format. 

Advertisment

So far, he has dismissed the likes of like Kolkata's hit machine Andre Russell, Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Hyderabad's in-form batsman David Warner.

When asked whose dismissal did he enjoy the most and will call his favourite, Rabada was quick to take the name of his South African teammate and Bangalore's AB de Villiers. 

"I guess, I always play with AB, so playing against him on a big stage and I got him out. He is the most talented batsmen I have ever bowled to. And when you are standing at the top of your mark, you know, you really need to be on your A game. So I think I enjoyed his wicket because growing up I always used to admire him and then playing alongside him was always great and now playing against him. You really have to test yourself and I was looking forward to it."

The South African cricketer added a pun to his statement saying De Villiers will surely gonna be coming after him.

Delhi are currently placed at the sixth position with three wins and three reverses. They need to win their next few games to reach the playoffs without much hassle.  

When asked what strategies have they planned for the upcoming encounters, Rabada said he believes in taking it game by game.

"I think taking it game by game and taking it one ball at a time is the best way to look at it, is the best way to approach it. And remember to have fun. And we need to learn and learn quickly how to go about the game in certain moments where we have felt we lacked because that is where we are going to put pressure on other teams and that's how we are going to win this tournament."

The side has been inconsistent with their performance. Though few batsmen like Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant and skipper Shreyas Iyer have performed in individual games, the side lacked collective performance.