Why has Rabada been selected in the T20 squad?

Kagiso Rabada should not have been selected in the T20 squad and should be rested ahead of the Test series against India, writes Alasdair Fraser.

The ink is dry and we finally know who will be going to India next month.

There weren’t many surprise selections – albeit one or two – but I’m not happy to see Kagiso Rabada’s name in the T20 squad.

What on earth is the Proteas’ shining light doing in a nothing series before we get to the real cricket in the form of the red-ball action? Rabada needs a break. Period.

Even if Rabada wants to go play in this white-ball circus show, he should be reminded about the vast workload coming up in the three Tests against India and the marathon four-match offering against England.

READ: We need to manage Rabada properly

I understand there is a small matter of a T20 World Cup next year and it’s part of the new management team’s planning, but what do they actually need to know about Rabada’s ability in the shortened format? Ngidi isn’t there. Why Rabada?

As I have stated before, Rabada needs to be managed properly. His heavy workload is going to take its toll. No one is exempt from picking up injuries – especially fast bowlers.

Last season was a full summer of cricket, an IPL and a lengthy World Cup slap-bang in the middle of the South African off-season.

Rabada should have been given ample time to ease in nicely with some solid preparation in the nets with Vernon Philander and Ngidi, surrounded by the relative comforts of home with friends and family.

Instead, he’ll be jetting off to India – where he spent months playing IPL – a couple of weeks before the Test series. Let’s not forget he spent almost two months in England toiling away in one of the Proteas’ most disastrous campaigns.

Another puzzling selection is that of Rassie van der Dussen. Given his meteoric international rise, one would have thought that he could have been a valuable addition to a Proteas Test squad that is in an important rebuilding phase.

This is backed up by Rassie being awarded the vice-captaincy role in the T20 squad ahead of Test vice-captain, Temba Bavuma. There is no doubt that Van der Dussen has all the capabilities to be a solid Test cricketer and would add value to a Proteas batting lineup that will have its work cut out against India.

It will be interesting to see what happens if one or two injuries to the Test batting squad effect Van der Dussen’s rise to what is deemed as the pinnacle of competitive cricket. He certainly has the talent to succeed at the highest level.

This tour has the potential to make or break several Proteas cricketers in the Test arena and it will be fascinating to see who is going to put their hands up in the coming months as we buildup to an exciting summer of cricket with England on the horizon. Let’s hope Rabada is firing on all cylinders.