🏏 **Kagiso Rabada** Rib Injury Jeopardizes SA20 & T20 WC

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Key Takeaways

1📊 Rabada: 300+ T20 wkts at 135 SR, death-over king
2🏆 Misses SA20 opener, eyes Dec 31 return
3💡 Like Nortje's 2024 injury setbacks
4🔮 WC squad Jan 2; one game to prove fitness
5💬 "Hopeful for match three" – Rashid Khan

"The South Africa fast bowler is expected to miss MICT's second game, but be fit in time for the third"

Kagiso Rabada misses MI Cape Town's SA20 2025-26 opener against Durban Super Giants on Boxing Day, sidelined by rib injury with T20 World Cup 2026 squad announcement January 2. Captain Rashid Khan hopes for December 31 return, his lone pre-WC hit-out. No cricket since October, Rabada's fitness race alarms Proteas ahead of Namibia-Zimbabwe event. Defending SA20 champs lean on depth sans their spearhead.

Kagiso Rabada, SA's premier quick, owns 300+ T20 wickets at 135 SR, anchoring MICT's title defense. Recent: IPL hauls for PBKS, but rib niggles post-October. SA20 context: MICT chases repeat; Rabada's absence tests Trent Boult, Rashid. WC stakes high—leads Proteas attack; convener Patrick Moroney, coach Shukri Conrad watch closely. His T20I economy 7.50 vital for super eights.

Rib Recovery Crunch Before WC Squad Reveal

Rabada's timeline echoes Anrich Nortje's 2024 stress fractures, missing key games. Stats: MICT 2025: 15 wickets at 6.80 econ last edition; one game max now risks rust. Historically, rushed returns flop—Dale Steyn's 2015 WC woes. Khan's optimism hinges on Dec 31 vs rivals; compare Jasprit Bumrah's managed IPL comebacks. Selection pressure: fit or not, he's automatic if cleared.

Proteas Pace Attack Faces Ultimate Test

MICT standings wobble early; WC group stage demands Rabada's death-over mastery (8.20 econ phase). Implications: squad sans him eyes Lungi Ngidi; trajectory to 2026 WC glory paused. SA20 as prep mirrors IPL for India—vital tune-up. Balanced view: rest aids longevity, but timing perilous with Jan 2 deadline.

"Hopeful Rabada ready for match three on Dec 31." – Rashid Khan, MICT captain

Rabada's Deadline Dash to WC Glory

Dec 31 audition decides WC inclusion; Proteas opener looms. Fans track scans—will he lead charge? Matters for SA20 title and WC contention; his fire defines campaigns. Follow as Rabada defies odds.