Kagiso Rabada ruled out of IPL 2019 due to back injury, big blow for Delhi Capitals

Kagiso Rabada, who has taken 25 wickets in the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League and has been a key factor in Delhi Capitals’ surge towards the playoffs after six years, has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a back injury. With the 2019 World Cup less than four weeks away, Rabada decided that he needed to take a break in order to be fit for the tournament which will begin on May 30 when England take on South Africa in the opening game at The Oval. In a statement released by Delhi Capitals, Rabada decided to head home on the advice of Cricket South Africa

“It is indeed very hard for me to leave the Delhi Capitals at this stage of the tournament. But with the World Cup just a month away, a collective decision has been made for me in this regard. It's been a tremendous season for me with the Delhi Capitals, both on and off the field, and I truly believe that our team can win the trophy,” Rabada said.

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Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting expressed his disappointment of losing Rabada at this stage. “It's unfortunate that Rabada is having to leave us at this stage of the tournament. But I have full confidence in our team and I'm sure each and every member of this unit will step up to the occasion,” Ponting said.

Rabada put in some brilliant spells during the 2019 IPL. In the super over encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Feroz Shah Kotla, his brilliant yorker to the in-form Andre Russell gave Delhi Capitals a brilliant win. Against Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rabada picked up Kohli and AB de Villiers as he picked his career-best figures of 4/21 at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore.

Delhi Capitals will play their last league game against Rajasthan Royals at the Feroz Shah Kotla and a win will secure them a spot in the top two and two chances of entering the final. On the other hand, a win for Rajasthan Royals will keep them in the hunt and they will be hoping that other results go their way with Sunrisers Hyderabad losing to Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders not winning more than one game.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Delhi Capitals qualified for the IPL playoffs for the first time after six years.
• Kagiso Rabada picked up 4/21 in the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
• Delhi Capitals square off against Rajasthan Royals in their final league game.