It's generally the young tearaway pacers that make headlines solely for their fiery speed and intimidating bounce. Kagiso Rabada is as close as it gets to an 'optimum combination'. So when 20-year-old Kagiso Rabada made his debut against India in November 2015, the general consensus was the usual "potential-great-if-honed-suitably". What followed was a pleasant surprise for the South African team - a prodigy who assured them with his performances that the future the nation's fast bowling was in good hands.
Rewind to the 2014 Under-19 World Cup: the name Rabada came into the limelight as he brutalized the Australian line-up with a spell of 6/25, constantly hitting the mid-140s. After propelling his side to the final of the tournament with his miserly and penetrative bowling, he ended the tournament as his side's highest wicket-taker. His astonishing performances did not go unnoticed as he was awarded a contract with the Highveld Lions upon his return to South Africa with the elusive Cup of glory.
