Kagiso Rabada has stormed into IPL history books with a breathtaking powerplay performance that left Sunrisers Hyderabad shell-shocked and Gujarat Titans celebrating a crucial victory. The South African speedster's devastating new-ball spell in Ahmedabad not only dismantled SRH's chase but also placed him among the elite bowlers in tournament history.
Rabada's figures of 4-0-28-3 tell only part of the story. His ferocious opening burst saw him dismiss Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Smaran Ravichandran in quick succession, leaving Hyderabad's batting lineup in complete disarray. The result? SRH managed just 34/4 in the powerplay – their second-lowest total of the season and the first time they lost four wickets inside the first six overs.
This latest masterclass takes Rabada to 16 powerplay wickets for IPL 2026, equalling the second-highest tally ever recorded in a single edition. Only Mohammed Shami's remarkable 17 powerplay wickets in IPL 2023 stand above him. The South African pace ace now shares rarefied air with some of the tournament's greatest new-ball operators.
Rabada's dominance in the powerplay this season is staggering. He leads the charts with 16 wickets at an economy rate of 9.03, well ahead of Bhuvneshwar Kumar (12 wickets, economy 6.91), while Jofra Archer and Mohammed Siraj trail with nine wickets each. What makes Rabada's achievement even more impressive is his ability to generate pace, bounce, and accuracy regardless of pitch conditions.
The context of this performance makes it even more significant. After Gujarat Titans posted a competitive 168/5 – built on gritty half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar – Rabada ensured SRH never found their rhythm. He first removed Abhishek with extra pace and bounce, then trapped Kishan during a rebuilding phase, before cleaning up Ravichandran to complete another breathtaking spell.
For fans watching this IPL season, Rabada's relentless aggression with the new ball has become must-watch cricket. His ability to strike early and often has transformed Gujarat Titans' bowling attack, making them a formidable force in the tournament. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether Rabada can surpass Shami's record – but regardless, he has already cemented his place among IPL's powerplay greats.