Having had a front-row seat in his journey to stardom and seeing that tail off at the end of last season, Kagiso Rabada now knows a thing or two about cricket's vicissitudes.
His breakout season for the Proteas last season was simply sensational but the team's performance, and his included, fell short of the mark in the ICC World T20 2016 in India.
Rabada keenly felt the thrust of the jet engines as he looked set to be propelled to the stars... and the sinking feeling once they fell silent.
"It was a great season but it didn't end off well in India," he acknowledged yesterday.
"I didn't bowl well. On every pitch there is a way you should bowl and I came up short in some of the games. Maybe I was too fatigued and I didn't show up as I would have liked to."
"Hopefully I learnt from the mistakes and move forward."
The Proteas depart for the West Indies next week for a tri-nations ODI series that also involves Australia. The pitches there, too, can be unpredictable.
"It doesn't matter what pitch you get. It is about you adapting to the pitch. That is the true test," Rabada said.
Following the Proteas' exit in India, Rabada has had "great time to reflect" on his game.
"I had time to think about my life. I've learnt a lot of things. I've done a lot of things outside cricket. It is a conscious effort, about getting your skills right. Maintaining your strength and health in the gym is something that happens throughout the year. When you're playing you don't do that because you get over-fatigued.
"Maybe I'm still learning and we'll see what is still working for me."
Cricket South Africa also know what works for them and it came as little surprise that they finally officially announced Standard Bank as the new sponsors of the Proteas yesterday.
Following a crippling bonuses scandal and all manner of boardroom upheaval, CSA have been desperate to be seen to be moving forward.
They were supposed to consummate their partnership last week but CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat put the delay down to him taking untimely leave.
Rabada keen to erase world T20 heartache
Having had a front-row seat in his journey to stardom and seeing that tail off at the end of last season, Kagiso Rabada now knows a thing or two about cricket's vicissitudes.
His breakout season for the Proteas last season was simply sensational but the team's performance, and his included, fell short of the mark in the ICC World T20 2016 in India.
Rabada keenly felt the thrust of the jet engines as he looked set to be propelled to the stars... and the sinking feeling once they fell silent.
"It was a great season but it didn't end off well in India," he acknowledged yesterday.
"I didn't bowl well. On every pitch there is a way you should bowl and I came up short in some of the games. Maybe I was too fatigued and I didn't show up as I would have liked to."
"Hopefully I learnt from the mistakes and move forward."
The Proteas depart for the West Indies next week for a tri-nations ODI series that also involves Australia. The pitches there, too, can be unpredictable.
"It doesn't matter what pitch you get. It is about you adapting to the pitch. That is the true test," Rabada said.
Following the Proteas' exit in India, Rabada has had "great time to reflect" on his game.
"I had time to think about my life. I've learnt a lot of things. I've done a lot of things outside cricket. It is a conscious effort, about getting your skills right. Maintaining your strength and health in the gym is something that happens throughout the year. When you're playing you don't do that because you get over-fatigued.
"Maybe I'm still learning and we'll see what is still working for me."
Cricket South Africa also know what works for them and it came as little surprise that they finally officially announced Standard Bank as the new sponsors of the Proteas yesterday.
Following a crippling bonuses scandal and all manner of boardroom upheaval, CSA have been desperate to be seen to be moving forward.
They were supposed to consummate their partnership last week but CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat put the delay down to him taking untimely leave.
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