IPL 2020: Rabada enjoys his day out in the nets

Dubai - Well rested, Rabada is now trying to get himself back into the groove for the IPL.

South African pace ace Kagiso Rabada was delighted to be back following the break from cricket and was raring to replicate his success from last year, in this season's Indian Premier League (IPL).
The 25-year-old was the second highest wicket-taker in the competition last time out with 25 wickets from 12 matches, one behind compatriot and Chennai Super Kings spinner Imran Tahir.
And Rabada, who went through the paces at the ICC Cricket Academy on Monday, as the rest of his Delhi Capitals teammates enjoyed a rest day, loved his stint in the nets.
"It feels good to be running in, and to be with some teammates as well. It is of course some old teammates and some new ones," Rabada said following his first session after completing the mandatory quarantine upon arrival.
"This (situation) is quite unique, not a lot of people get to do this. We're in the middle of a desert, playing cricket - it's something that I didn't think I would ever be able to do. So it's a lot of fun also," he added.
Rabada also said that the break from the sport was a blessing in disguise after years of being on the road.
"It's been a high volume of cricket in the past five years for me, but I really enjoyed the break at home. I was just chilling with my family, getting to see my friends (virtually) during lockdown. So yeah being home was the best thing," said Rabada, who has played 43 Tests and 75 ODIs.
Well rested, Rabada is now trying to get himself back into the groove for the IPL.
"I feel quite strong. I think I just need to bowl more, and make sure I haven't forgotten how to bowl," Rabada laughed and said.
"I need to keep up with the bowling practice, but otherwise I feel healthy," he added.
And he is hoping that he can take the Delhi Capitals to the top step after a third-place finish last season.
"We had a really good season, so I know that we can challenge and win this competition because we came really close last season, so mentally I guess that helps. But also, it is a new tournament so we have to start again and we've got a nice group put together, nice team," said Rabada, who has 31 wickets in his IPL career in just 18 matches.
"We have to start again and start the whole process, so hopefully we can get off to a good start but win at the end of the season - we want to be the most consistent team and win at times when we really, really need to win," he added.
sports@khaleejtimes.com

• IPL 2019