Kagiso Rabada is one of the best fast bowlers in the world today. Many fans call him KG Rabada. He is known for his speed, skill, and never-give-up attitude. He bowls fast, swings the ball, and takes big wickets for South Africa. He is loved for his hard work, discipline, and humble nature off the field. Let’s read his complete story — from his childhood, family, and career to his love life, controversies, and more.
| Full Name | Kagiso Rabada |
|---|---|
| Nickname | KG Rabada |
| Profession | Cricketer (Fast Bowler) |
| Date of Birth | May 25, 1995 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 30 Years |
| Birthplace | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Height | 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) |
| Batting Style | Left-handed Batsman |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm Fast |
| Role | Fast Bowler |
| Father’s Name | Dr. Mpho Rabada |
| Mother’s Name | Florence Rabada |
| Siblings | One Brother (Atlegang Rabada) |
| Marital Status | Single (as of 2025) |
| Girlfriend | Not Publicly Known |
| Hobbies | Music, Piano, Soccer, Reading |
| First T20I Debut | November 5, 2014 vs Australia |
| First ODI Debut | July 10, 2015 vs Bangladesh |
| First Test Debut | November 5, 2015 vs India |
| IPL Team 2025 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) |
| Controversies | On-field celebration fines (2018) |
Early Life and Childhood
Kagiso Rabada was born on May 25, 1995, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He grew up in a loving family. His father, Mpho Rabada, is a doctor and his mother, Florence Rabada, is a lawyer. Education and discipline were important in the Rabada family.
Little Kagiso loved sports from a young age. He used to play cricket and soccer with his friends in the backyard. His father took him to local cricket clubs where he learned how to bowl fast. His mother always supported him with school and made sure he stayed focused on studies too.
Kagiso went to St. Stithians Boys College in Johannesburg. There he became popular for his fast bowling. His coaches saw that he had special talent. His speed and bounce scared many batsmen even when he was just a teenager. His family stood by him and helped him follow his dream.
Family Details
Kagiso Rabada comes from a happy and well-educated family. His father, Dr. Mpho Rabada, is a respected doctor. He once said in an interview that he always wanted Kagiso to finish his studies, but he also knew cricket was his passion.
His mother, Florence, is a smart lawyer who taught him about discipline and fairness. Kagiso is very close to his parents. He often says that his success is because of their love and support.
He has an older brother named Atlegang Rabada. They share a good bond and love watching soccer together when Kagiso is home.
Height, Age, and Physical Appearance
Kagiso Rabada is 30 years old as of 2025. He is tall and strong, which helps him bowl fast. He stands about 6 feet 3 inches tall (191 cm) and weighs around 86 kg. His long arms and strong shoulders give him extra pace and bounce.
He has short black hair, a friendly smile, and kind eyes. He always looks confident on the field but is calm and polite off the field. Fans love how he carries himself with so much respect and maturity.
Kagiso Rabada’s Cricket Career
Starting Domestic Cricket
Kagiso started his domestic career playing for the Gauteng team and later for the Lions. He impressed everyone with his speed and accuracy. He was only 18 years old when he bowled out teams with his fast spells.
In the 2014 ICC Under-19 World Cup, Kagiso helped South Africa win the trophy. He took 6 wickets for just 25 runs in the semi-final against Australia. His fiery spell made the whole cricket world take notice.
International Debut
Kagiso made his T20 International debut against Australia in November 2014. He played his first ODI match against Bangladesh in July 2015. In that match, he took a hat-trick in his debut game! This made him only the second player ever to take a hat-trick on ODI debut.
Later, he made his Test debut against India in November 2015. He bowled with heart and took big wickets. Soon, he became one of South Africa’s main fast bowlers.
Bowling Style
Kagiso Rabada is a right-arm fast bowler. He can bowl over 145 km/h and swings the ball both ways. His bouncers trouble even the best batsmen. He mixes his pace and length cleverly. His yorkers are deadly in death overs.
He says Dale Steyn and Allan Donald are his inspirations. He often talks to senior bowlers to learn new tricks.
Big Achievements
Kagiso Rabada has many big records:
- He is one of the youngest bowlers to take 10 wickets in a Test match.
- He has more than 280 Test wickets and over 150 ODI wickets as of 2025.
- He won the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year in 2018.
- He has been South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in many series.
Fans love his consistency and fighting spirit.
IPL and Franchise Cricket
Kagiso Rabada is a star in the Indian Premier League (IPL) too. He played for Delhi Capitals (DC) for many years. In IPL 2020, he won the Purple Cap for taking the most wickets. His fast yorkers and bouncers won many matches for DC.
In 2022, he was picked by Punjab Kings (PBKS). He continues to play for them in 2025. His calm attitude and aggressive bowling make him one of the best overseas players in IPL history.
He also plays in other T20 leagues but always says playing for South Africa is his biggest dream.
Love Life and Girlfriend
Kagiso Rabada likes to keep his love life private. He has never confirmed any girlfriend in public. As of 2025, he is believed to be single. He once said he wants to focus on cricket and spend time with family when he is not playing.
He believes that fame can come and go, but family and true friends stay forever. His simple and humble nature makes him a role model for young fans.
Friendships in Cricket
Kagiso Rabada is known for his good nature in the dressing room. He is very close to teammates like Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, and Quinton de Kock. He also shares a strong bond with senior players like Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers.
He often laughs, jokes, and plays music with the team. He loves hip-hop music and sometimes plays DJ for the dressing room. Young bowlers look up to him for advice.
Controversies
Kagiso Rabada has faced a few small controversies on the field because of his aggressive celebrations. Sometimes, umpires have given him demerit points for over-celebrating wickets.
In 2018, he was banned for one Test match after bumping into Australian batsman Steve Smith. Many people felt it was just an accident. He came back strongly and took big wickets in the next games. Kagiso later said he learned to control his emotions better.
Overall, he has kept a clean image and stays away from off-field controversies.
Injuries and Challenges
Fast bowlers always face injuries because their bodies take a lot of strain. Kagiso has had a few minor injuries like back and hamstring issues. But he always works hard in rehab and comes back stronger.
He follows strict fitness routines, does yoga, and eats healthy to stay fit. He believes staying fit is as important as bowling well.
Fitness and Lifestyle
Kagiso Rabada loves working out. He does strength training, running, and swimming. He focuses on his diet and eats balanced meals with protein, veggies, and fruits. He drinks a lot of water to stay hydrated.
When he is not playing, he loves reading books and listening to music. He also enjoys watching soccer and supports Arsenal FC.
Life Outside Cricket
Kagiso Rabada is not just a cricketer. He is also a musician and loves playing the piano. He has released a few tracks with friends under his music label. He believes music helps him relax his mind.
He loves helping people too. He supports charity programs that help kids get into sports and education. He wants to inspire kids to dream big and work hard.
Future Plans
Kagiso Rabada wants to play for South Africa for many more years. He dreams of winning an ICC trophy for his country. He says that lifting a World Cup for South Africa would be the proudest moment of his life.
After cricket, he wants to stay connected to the game by coaching young bowlers. He also wants to do more music projects and support charity work.
