3 weeks ago
'No pressure': Rabada embraces home advantage for 2027 World Cup
Cricket is a sport played with a bat and a ball.
The Cricket World Cup is a big tournament where teams from many countries compete.
South Africa will help host the next World Cup in 2027, together with Zimbabwe and Namibia.
A famous South African bowler named Kagiso Rabada talked about the tournament.
Some people thought playing at home might make his team nervous.
Rabada said he does not feel that pressure.
He said playing at home feels like freedom, and the team will defend their fortress.
Rabada is confident because South Africa has been playing very well lately.
They even won a big championship called the World Test Championship in 2025.
He hopes to deliver a big performance like Wasim Akram did in the 1992 final, because South Africa has reached the semi-finals four times but never won the title.
South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada says the team will feel no extra pressure playing at home in the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
South Africa will co-host the 14th edition of the 50-over World Cup with Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027.
Rabada described hosting the tournament as 'freedom' and said the Proteas will 'defend this fortress' at home.
His confidence is boosted by the team's consistent form, including their maiden ICC World Test Championship title at Lord's in 2025.
Rabada draws inspiration from Wasim Akram's three-wicket match-winning spell in the 1992 World Cup final against England at the MCG.
- Who
- Kagiso Rabada, South Africa pace bowler, and the South African team (Proteas)
- What
- Rabada says South Africa will face no additional pressure when co-hosting the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup on home soil.
- Where
- South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia (co-hosts); announcement event in Johannesburg; the 1992 final was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
- When
- The 14th edition of the tournament is scheduled for 2027; Rabada spoke at the recent venue and brand announcement event in Johannesburg.
- Why
- South Africa's consistent recent form, including the 2025 ICC World Test Championship title, and a desire to end their wait for a maiden 50-over World Cup title.
Key facts
- Event
- ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 (14th edition, 50-over)
- Host nations
- South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia
- Player
- Kagiso Rabada (31-year-old South Africa pace bowler)
- Key quote
- It's almost like freedom... we're at home and we're going to defend this fortress.
- Recent achievement
- Maiden ICC World Test Championship title at Lord's, 2025
- Inspiration
- Wasim Akram's three-wicket spell in the 1992 World Cup final vs England
- World Cup record
- Four semi-final appearances, never reached the final
- Announcement venue
- Johannesburg
Quotes
Kagiso Rabada
South African international fast bowler
“Well, I think there's a lot more to it at the moment with us hosting it, I don't feel the pressure of us playing at home and feeling the need to win it, it's almost like freedom and we are at home to defend this fortress, representing the badge”
livemint.com
thestatesman.com
“One World Cup moment from the past that I'll never forget, because I'm a bowler, I'm going to go to the bowlers' club, was Wasim Akram against England in the final”
livemint.com
Sources
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