“It’s never easy maintaining a career, I’ve learned that there are a lot of ups and downs. I want to be the best in the world, everybody does,” Rabada told iol.co.za. “You are naturally going to compete in that fashion. I’m not too worried, I’m feeling nice and easy.”

Rabada has had a splendid year with the ball, having captured 44 wickets, across formats, in 23 games thus far. Recognised as one of the brightest contemporary fast-bowling talents, Rabada seems to have beene cliped in popularity by the exciting duo of Archer and Bumrah this year.

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Since his Test debut in early 2018, Bumrah has transitioned into a stellar red-ball bowler, shedding his reputation of being a pure short-form quick. In 49 international games since his maiden game in whites, Bumrah has captured 120 wickets, one short of Rabada’s tally, and the third most in world cricket.

Archer, who made his international debut this year, caused instant, and lasting, impact, starting with the World Cup, where he was England’s leading wicket-taker, with 20 scalps. His foray into Tests has been equally impressive, with 13 wickets already in his kitty from his first two matches.

It turns out Jofra Archer IS good at bowling.#Ashespic.twitter.com/lKWU5bNJZl

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 7, 2019

An underwhelming World Cup outing for South Africa seems to have pushed Rabada down; his 11 wickets in nine games made for uninspiring reading in South Africa’s seventh-place finish.

“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.”

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Cricket South Africa pushed the restart button post the World Cup debacle, introducing a host of management changes ahead of their India tour. For Rabada, it is a chance to embrace the challenge of  facing India at their home and bolster his credentials further, even as the show-stopping duo of Archer and Bumrah continue to make waves.

“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.”