Gabriel Garcia South African pace sensation Kagiso Rabada has created history by becoming the fastest bowler to reach 300 Test wickets, surpassing several cricket legends in the process, including Pakistan’s Waqar Younis. In doing so, he also broke the world record previously held by India’s Jasprit Bumrah for the best strike rate among bowlers with 300 or more Test wickets.
Record-Breaking Milestone
Rabada achieved this rare feat during the first Test match against Bangladesh in Dhaka on October 21, 2024. He dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim to claim his 300th Test wicket, accomplishing the milestone in just 11,817 deliveries, significantly faster than Waqar Younis’ previous record of 12,602 balls.
What’s more impressive is Rabada’s strike rate of 39.2 balls per wicket, now the best ever among bowlers who have taken 300+ wickets in Test cricket. He surpasses Bumrah, who had set a remarkable benchmark in recent years and also outpaces South African greats like Dale Steyn (42.3) and Allan Donald.
Historic Context
Rabada reached the 300-wicket mark in just his 65th Test match, making him the third-fastest South African to achieve the milestone. Only Dale Steyn (61 Tests) and Allan Donald (63 Tests) did it quicker in terms of matches.
While Rabada’s career has been periodically disrupted by injuries, his ability to consistently deliver at high pace and with unrelenting accuracy has placed him among the elite fast bowlers of the modern era.
Match Impact
In the Dhaka Test where the record was broken, Rabada played a pivotal role. He picked up 3 wickets for 26 runs in Bangladesh’s first innings, helping bowl them out for just 106. His spell laid the foundation for South Africa’s dominance in the match.
Legacy in the Making
Kagiso Rabada’s record isn’t just about numbers — it’s a testament to his resilience, skill, and evolution as a strike bowler in the post-Steyn era. His name now sits among the greats, and at just 29 years old, there’s plenty more history he could make.
As cricket continues to evolve, Rabada’s performance reminds fans that raw pace, backed by discipline and match awareness, still wins matches — and breaks records.
