ICC World Cup 2019 | We tried to stop Kagiso Rabada from playing in IPL, says Faf du Plessis

When Faf du Plessis walked into the post-match press conference after another loss, this time by 49 runs against Pakistan, he looked a dejected man, with barely anything left in the tank. When asked about his strike bowler - Kagiso Rabada - he pointed out that fatigue might be the factor behind his performances lacking the potency he usually carries. The young quickie has already bowled 300-plus overs this year. Faf revealed that there was an effort made to stop him from playing in the IPL this season in order to keep him fresh for the World Cup.

“We did try and get him not to go to the IPL; to try and stay and get fresh. That wasn't the case of -- and then when he went there, we were like, let's try and get him back halfway through the IPL because it's important that we try and find space to rest our three-format players, because they play all the formats all the time, and then IPL” Faf said at the press conference, reported Cricbuzz. 

Coming into the World Cup, Rabada had been in red-hot form at the IPL for the Delhi Capitals. He picked up 25 wickets in 12 games at an average of 14.72. But, at the World Cup, it has been a different story. Rabada has only picked up six wickets from six games in the ten-team tournament.

“You need three or four or five bowlers in the wings waiting, so you can have a bit of a rotation system. I mean, that was the plan with Anrich in the back-up and pipeline, and he got injured, as well. So therefore all our pace is gone and there's so much responsibility on KG to carry that load of being the lone fast bowler," Faf said.

Having now faced his first major setback in his high-flying international career, Faf backs the “great fast bowler” to fix his issues and rediscover his mojo. 

"So that will be something that KG will need to...you know, he's a great bowler. He will be able to fix that. His career has been one that's been probably just going up and up and up and up and up every time he's played for us. This is probably his first stumbling block as a great fast bowler. So for him now, it will be to show how he responds,” the South African skipper signed off.