Off the cuff with Kagiso Rabada

When Kagiso Rabada made his way from breakfast on Monday (April 10) in Pune, little did he know that he would be on the receiving end of a barrage of volleys that he himself is well-known for delivering. The 21-year-old South African paceman, who is in India for the tenth season of the Indian Premier League, however, after an initial struggle, got into the scheme of things and tackled those with relative ease. In an exclusive chat with Cricbuzz, Rabada opens up about some fried worms, a batting partner without pads and more.

Do you have tattoos?

Nope.

What is your favourite music band?

I don't have one...Mmmm.... I listen to a whole variety of music. But right now, my favourite, who I've been listening to a lot is probably Kendrick Lamar.

What is your favourite childhood memory of cricket?

Mmmmmm.... (thinks some more).... Actually.... Hmmmm...

'You want come back to it?'

Yes please.

What's the funniest prank you've played on someone?

There's been so many (laughs)...

'Pick one...'

Ummm... can we come back to that one as well?

'Sure!'

If you could have unlimited storage of something, what would it be?

Geez, these are some tough questions! (laughs) Right now, data! I'd love unlimited data right now.

'You mean internet on your phone, yes?'

Yes, data.

What's the first word that comes to your mind right now?

Data! (laughs)

Your favourite karaoke song?

Michael Jackson - Beat it

Favourite book?

Chase the Lion by...

'That's okay, I'll check...' (by Mark Batterson)

Favourite movie?

Most probably, Inception.. No, no, not that... Hmmm Lucy was really good. I enjoyed that a lot, pick.

What's the last lie you told someone?

I don't lie. I always tell the truth. That's a lie... that's my last lie! (laughs)

Are you animal person?

Yes, I have a small dog - a Maltese Poodle.

'Oh, nice! What's it called?'

Crofty.

If you could be an animal, which one would you be?

Either a Tiger or a Lion.

'Why?'

Because I'm from Africa, a Lion. It's meaner.

Favourite cartoon character?

Batman or Superman... Superman

Any quirky habit that nobody knows about?

I tend to be a bit silly sometimes. I lose the plot a bit.

Describe yourself in three words

Poised, silly and ummm... adventurous. Depends what comes at what time.

Pet hates?

Mmmmm....There's not lot of things I hate.

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten?

Fried worms.

'Where was that?'

South Africa. It's actually a dish. It becomes really crusty.

'Was it nice?'

Yeah, with a bit of salt. (smiles)

Scared of anything?

Anything that's going to put my life in jeopardy. When I was young, I didn't like spiders. Now it's alright.

What's the most interesting thing you have in your wallet right now?

Probably my credit cards.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how "cool" do you think you are?

(Laughs) In India I'm not cool at all; it's too hot!

'Wow... Okay, really?'

Naah, that's for you to decide. Not me.

What's the funniest incident you've been a part of - on or off the cricket field?

I was busy batting and my friend was coming in to bat and I could see he's got no pads on. I was waiting for him to come to tell him. I stop the guy who's going to be bowling and can see this guy who has got no pads on but is still coming in. He still doesn't realise it! When he did, he stopped, looked down and said, 'Haibo!' - Which in South Africa meant, 'Woah!' He eventually went back and got his pads. He's got a reputation for being that way.

'That's hilarious! When was this?'

Was actually before my first South Africa A tour.. in 2014.

Coming back to the funniest prank you've played on someone...

Ummm.... give me 30 seconds...

I don't know if this is funny or not. Probably not even the worst one, but I was in India or Australia or something and my brother (Atlegang) was missing me. One day I called him. It was late at night and he was sleeping. I called my mum and asked if I could speak to him. When he was on the phone I said, 'I'm at the gate, I don't have the key. Come and open for me.' Then he had to walk out all the way. He stands there for like 5 minutes. I'm not there. I'm still talking to my mother. Eventually I hear him in the background saying I said I was at the gate. And then eventually I told him I wasn't. My mother laughed. I think he was grumpy for a while and went to sleep. (laughs)

Right, okay... last one: if you could change your name to something, what would you change it to?

I like my name, so I wouldn't. It means peace. Kagiso means peace...