South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada will return home from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to avoid aggravating a back problem ahead of the ICC World Cup, Delhi Capitals said on Friday.

The 23-year-old has been in fine form this season, claiming 25 wickets from 12 matches in the IPL, but sat out Wednesday's game against Chennai Super Kings.

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Delhi said Rabada had been advised to return by Cricket South Africa as a precautionary measure.

"It's hard for me to leave the Delhi Capitals at this stage of the tournament. But with the World Cup just a month away, a collective decision has been made for me in this regard," Rabada said in a statement.

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Third-placed Delhi have qualified for the IPL playoffs and play Rajasthan Royals in their last league game on Saturday.

"It's been a tremendous season for me with Delhi Capitals, both on and off the field, and I truly believe that our team can win the trophy," Rabada added.

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Rabada's fellow paceman Dale Steyn was also ruled out of the IPL last month after a flare-up of an old shoulder injury, putting his World Cup prospects in doubt.

South Africa meet hosts England in the inaugural match of the World Cup at the Oval on May 30.

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