Rabada injury is a massive loss for us: Ponting

Losing Kagiso Rabada owing to a back injury is a "massive loss" at the business end but Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting is banking on New Zealand pacer Trent Boult's experience in the upcoming Indian Premier League play-offs.

Rabada, the Purple Cap holder so far with 25 wickets from 12 games, will return home after Cricket South Africa decided to call him back as a precautionary measureand give him time to recover ahead of the ODI World Cup in the United Kingdom.

Rabada's absence will thus massive affect the balance of Delhi Capitals, who will be aiming to win their last league game against Rajasthan Royals Saturday, to give themselves two shots in the knock-out stages.

"It was a decision which was taken out of our hands. It was a decision that Cricket South Africa made. He (Rabada) had a sore lower back in the last couple of games and after our last home game here, it got a little worse. So CSA took the decision as precautionary measure to ensure that he is fit for the World .