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Eshan Malinga vs Kagiso Rabada — IPL 2026 Fantasy Cricket Stats Comparison

Who is better — Eshan Malinga or Kagiso Rabada?

Kagiso Rabada has the edge on the headline numbers: Kagiso Rabada averages 61 IPL fantasy pts/match vs Eshan Malinga's 47. Full T20I, ODI, Test and IPL stats are below.

Eshan Malinga (Sunrisers Hyderabad) averages 47 fantasy pts per match. Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans) averages 61 fantasy pts. Full IPL stats & fantasy cricket comparison: batting, bowling, fielding, and form.

Full season · batting · bowling · fielding · MOTM · form

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PLAYER 1
🏏
Eshan Malinga
🌅 SRH · 9 cr
VS
PLAYER 2
🏏
Kagiso Rabada
⚡ GT · 9 cr
🏏
Eshan Malinga
🌅 Sunrisers Hyderabad
BOWL🌏 OS
9 cr
Credits
47
Avg Pts
159
Best FP
145.1
Pts/Cr
32
Total Runs
25
Total Wkts
🏏
Kagiso Rabada
⚡ Gujarat Titans
BOWL🌏 OS🏅 2× MOTM
9 cr
Credits
61
Avg Pts
130
Best FP
115.2
Pts/Cr
47
Total Runs
29
Total Wkts
📊Showing IPL 2026 season stats
📈 Slight Edge
🏏 Kagiso Rabada
14 higher avg pts · 130 best fantasy score · 2× MOTM
Fantasy Overview — Full Season
1306Season Points1037
47Avg Pts / Match61
159Best Fantasy Score130
20Matches Played17
0MOTM Awards 🏅2
9Credits9
145.1Pts per Credit115.2

Eshan Malinga vs Kagiso Rabada — Stat Comparison Table

Head-to-head numbers at a glance. Higher value is highlighted in green (lower is better for economy and bowling/batting averages).

IPL season stats
StatisticEshan MalingaKagiso Rabada
Matches2017
Avg fantasy points4761
Best fantasy score159130
Runs3247
Strike rate97.0123.7
Fours35
Sixes12
Highest score1423
Wickets2529
Economy rate8.979.68
Best spell (wkts)43
Catches57
Total dismissals57
International career — T20I
StatisticEshan MalingaKagiso Rabada
Matches1178
Runs5184
Batting average5.0015.33
Strike rate50.0115.7
Wickets982
Bowling average34.6728.65
Economy rate9.22—

📋 Format by format

T20I. Eshan Malinga has played 11 T20Is and Kagiso Rabada 78. Eshan Malinga has 5 runs at 5.0 (strike rate 50.0), against 184 at 15.3 (115.7) for Kagiso Rabada, so Kagiso Rabada has scored more. With the ball, Eshan Malinga has 9 wickets at an economy of 9.22 and Kagiso Rabada 82; Kagiso Rabada has more wickets.

ODI. Eshan Malinga has played 7 ODIs and Kagiso Rabada 106. Eshan Malinga has 14 runs at 4.7 (strike rate 25.4), against 401 at 14.8 (79.1) for Kagiso Rabada, so Kagiso Rabada has scored more. With the ball, Eshan Malinga has 4 wickets at an economy of 6.03 and Kagiso Rabada 168; Kagiso Rabada has more wickets.

International numbers up to 14 June 2026.

Stats updated
⚡ Strengths & Captaincy Pick
🏏 Eshan Malinga
✓ Better economy rate
🏏 Kagiso Rabada
✓ Superior run-scorer
✓ Higher strike rate
✓ More big-hitting sixes
✓ More wickets
✓ Higher avg fantasy pts
✓ More MOTM awards
👑 Captaincy Recommendation
C: 🏏 Kagiso Rabada
61 avg pts · 130 best · 2 MOTM
VC: 🏏 Eshan Malinga
Captaining Kagiso Rabada gives you 2× pts. Always verify playing XI before locking.
📝 Analysis & Fantasy Impact

Eshan Malinga vs Kagiso Rabada is one of the most searched cricket comparisons, combining international career stats with IPL fantasy data. Both players bring different strengths to your XI, and the right choice can be the difference between topping the leaderboard or missing out.

Eshan Malinga is a specialist bowler for Sunrisers Hyderabad, priced at 9 Cr this season. Over 20 matches in IPL 2026, he has scored a total of 941 fantasy points, averaging 47 pts per game with a best of 159 pts. With the bat he has accumulated 32 IPL runs at a strike rate of 97, and has claimed 25 IPL wickets with an economy of 8.97.

International career: Eshan Malinga has scored 5 T20I runs in 11 matches at an average of 5.00 internationally. He has also taken 9 T20I wickets at an average of 34.67 with an economy of 9.22.

Kagiso Rabada is a specialist bowler for Gujarat Titans, priced at 9 Cr. Across 17 matches in IPL 2026, he has earned 1037 fantasy points, averaging 61 pts per game with a best of 130 pts. He has scored 47 IPL runs at a strike rate of 123.7, picking up 29 IPL wickets at an economy of 9.68. He has won 2 MOTM awards this season.

International career: Kagiso Rabada has scored 401 ODI runs in 106 matches at an average of 14.85 internationally. He has also taken 168 ODI wickets at an average of 27.45. He has taken 82 T20I wickets internationally.

Batting edge: Kagiso Rabada leads with the bat this season, making them the better pick if the pitch is expected to be batting-friendly or if the match is being played on a flat track.

Bowling edge: Kagiso Rabada has been the more impactful bowler in IPL 2026, and becomes especially valuable in conditions that offer pace or spin movement.

Fantasy Impact: From a pure fantasy perspective, Kagiso Rabada is the stronger pick right now with an average of 61 pts per game and a best score of 130 pts. The value-for-money metric (points per credit) further reinforces this — always check this number before finalising your captain or vice-captain choice.

Captaincy Recommendation: Based on IPL 2026 season form, Kagiso Rabada is the safer captaincy option. However, if the opposition's bowling or batting lineup suits the other player, consider rotating your captain pick. Always check the playing XI, pitch report, and toss result before locking in your captain.

Stats are updated after every IPL 2026 match. Compare more players using our Player Comparison Tool or check the Fantasy Leaderboard to see how top managers are building their teams.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Who has better IPL 2026 stats — Eshan Malinga or Kagiso Rabada?

Based on IPL 2026 season data, Kagiso Rabada has the edge with a higher average of 61 fantasy points per game. Kagiso Rabada leads in runs scored (47 runs). Overall Kagiso Rabada is the stronger fantasy pick IPL 2026.

Eshan Malinga vs Kagiso Rabada — who is a better fantasy captain?

Kagiso Rabada is the recommended fantasy captain pick, averaging 61 pts per game with a best score of 159 pts. As captain you earn 2× points, so choosing the player in better form is crucial. Always check the toss and playing XI before finalising your captain.

Who has a better strike rate — Eshan Malinga or Kagiso Rabada?

Kagiso Rabada has the superior batting strike rate in IPL 2026 (123.7), making them more valuable in T20 cricket where quick scoring is rewarded with bonus fantasy points.

What is the price difference between Eshan Malinga and Kagiso Rabada?

Eshan Malinga costs 9 Cr and Kagiso Rabada costs 9 Cr in IPL 2026 fantasy. The player with lower credits who delivers similar points gives you better value, freeing up budget for other expensive picks.

How many MOTM awards have Eshan Malinga and Kagiso Rabada won?

In IPL 2026, Eshan Malinga has won 0 Man of the Match awards and Kagiso Rabada has won 2 MOTM awards. MOTM winners earn +25 bonus fantasy points, making them extremely valuable.

Should I pick Eshan Malinga or Kagiso Rabada in my fantasy XI?

If you can only pick one, Kagiso Rabada is the statistically stronger fantasy cricket pick IPL 2026. However, consider the match conditions — if Sunrisers Hyderabad are favourites, more of their players will contribute, and vice versa for Gujarat Titans. Use this comparison tool to make an informed decision every match.

Who has more T20I runs, Eshan Malinga or Kagiso Rabada?

Kagiso Rabada has more T20I runs: Eshan Malinga has 5 in 11 matches (average 5.0) and Kagiso Rabada has 184 in 78 (average 15.3).

Who has taken more T20I wickets, Eshan Malinga or Kagiso Rabada?

Kagiso Rabada has more T20I wickets: Eshan Malinga has 9 at an average of 34.7 and Kagiso Rabada has 82 at 28.6.

Who has more ODI runs, Eshan Malinga or Kagiso Rabada?

Kagiso Rabada has more ODI runs: Eshan Malinga has 14 in 7 matches (average 4.7) and Kagiso Rabada has 401 in 106 (average 14.8).
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Numbers only get you so far. Pick a side — Eshan Malinga or Kagiso Rabada — and see who actually delivers.

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