Kagiso Rabada has applauded the success of England’s Jofra Archer and India’s Jasprit Bumrah, but reminded fans and critics alike to be mindful of the ups and downs of international cricket.

Archer relished a fine stretch of form during the World Cup earlier this year and the ongoing Ashes series. Bumrah, meanwhile, has climbed to third position in the International Cricket Council’s rankings for Test bowlers.

‘I admire those bowlers, they are good bowlers. However, the media hypes certain players, and that’s OK. I know I have been playing very well. Archer is such a natural talent. Bumrah is doing wonders and that can force you to lift your game. You are not always at the top, that’s one thing I can tell you,’ IOL quoted Rabada as saying.

‘It’s never easy maintaining a career. I’ve learned that there are a lot of highs and lows. I want to be the best in the world, everybody does. You are naturally going to compete in that fashion, I’m not too worried, I’m feeling nice and easy.’

The Proteas will likely face Bumrah during next month’s three Tests in India, and Archer during England’s tour of South Africa later this year.

The hosts will be without batsman Hashim Amla, who recently retired from international cricket. Fast bowler Dale Steyn’s Test career, too, has ended. Both retired after this year’s World Cup in the United Kingdom, where the Proteas collected three wins and five defeats.

‘I’m disappointed, not angry about the World Cup. What do I do with anger? When a setback comes you want to be determined, you don’t want to change a lot of things. It’s about seeing where you went wrong and then putting in extra work,’ concluded Rabada.

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