Ahmedabad, April 18 (NationPress) Kagiso Rabada stressed that “winning is the top priority” after delivering a standout performance for Gujarat Titans against Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2026. Rabada achieved impressive bowling figures of 3/29 in his four overs at the Narendra Modi Stadium, playing a pivotal role in limiting KKR's scoring.

Despite conceding 12 runs in his first over, the South African quick struck early by dismissing Angkrish Raghuvanshi, followed by the important wicket of Tim Seifert during the powerplay. He then bowled a stellar third over, allowing just one run, before returning later to claim Rinku Singh's wicket, rounding out an outstanding spell.

Discussing his strategy, Rabada highlighted the importance of understanding the pitch conditions. “It varies. It’s all about assessing how the wicket is behaving in India… Sometimes, it doesn’t play as expected,” he noted.

He pointed out that while the surface appeared to be a standard red-soil pitch, it acted differently due to moisture and inconsistent bounce. “With the new ball, there was perhaps more moisture… leading to uneven bounce. This made it difficult for batsmen to play freely,” he explained.

Rabada expressed that elevated bounce has consistently benefitted his bowling. “I believe extra bounce has been a significant advantage throughout my career… on pitches with more bounce, it leans towards my strengths,” he said, also noting that bowlers like Mohammed Siraj adapt differently based on conditions.

The Titans’ early aggressive strategy bore fruit, as Rabada and Siraj bowled effectively during the powerplay. “On any day, you could see them five down in that powerplay. But we'll gladly take three,” he remarked.

When discussing team dynamics, Rabada downplayed the emphasis on net run rate. “Winning is what counts the most… While a good net run rate is beneficial, it shouldn't be the main focus,” he stated.

He emphasized the need for batters to play their natural game: “Those players aren’t advising me on my bowling, so we won't dictate their batting either.”

On the choice to bowl first, Rabada acknowledged that chasing can often be advantageous in Indian conditions. “It often feels like the bowling side is under pressure when defending… but regardless of whether you bat or bowl first, you must find a way to secure victory,” he mentioned.

After a disrupted previous season, Rabada conveyed his strong desire to excel for the franchise without succumbing to desperation. “There’s a part of me that truly wants to perform for this franchise… but I don’t believe in desperation. Eagerness and desperation are two different things,” he added.

This performance also marked a personal milestone for Rabada, bringing his IPL wicket tally to 126 from 89 matches at an average of 23.19, which includes 15 wickets against KKR. Overall, he has now secured 306 wickets in T20 cricket, solidifying his position as one of the leading fast bowlers in the format.