Mumbai: Red-hot South African pacer Kagiso Rabada was a prized acquisition for Gujarat Titans (GT), who purchased him for a price tag of Rs 10.75 crore in the player auction ahead of IPL 2025.
However, Rabada played just two matches for Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans before returning home in early April. At that time, the GT management said Rabada’s departure was to deal with a “significant personal matter,” without saying when or if he would return to India.
A month later, Rabada has admitted that he is serving a provisional suspension after testing positive for recreational drug use – before the IPL got underway.
The 29-year-old Rabada, one of the world’s most feared fast bowlers, released a statement issued through the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA), in which he apologised for his actions.
“As has been reported, I recently returned to South Africa from participating in the IPL for personal reasons. This was due to my returning an adverse analytical finding for the use of a recreational drug. I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down. I will never take the privilege of playing cricket for granted. This privilege is much larger than me. It goes beyond my personal aspirations,” Rabada said.
“I am serving a provisional suspension and I am looking forward to returning to the game I love playing,” Rabada added, thanking his agent, Cricket South Africa and Gujarat Titans for their support.
“Moving forward, this moment will not define me. I will keep doing what I have always done, continuously working hard and playing with passion and devotion to my craft,” Rabada promised.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Rabada failed the drug test while playing for MI Cape Town in the SA20 meet in January-February this year.
Despite Rabada’s absence, Gujarat Titans are on fire in IPL’s 18th edition, sitting in second position with 7 wins.
Though it’s not confirmed, Rabada may return to India for the IPL. Gujarat still have four more matches to play in the league stage, as well as in playoffs which they are almost certain to qualify for.
GT next play Mumbai Indians on May 6, followed by Delhi Capitals on May 11, Lucknow Super Giants on May 14 and Chennai Super Kings on May 18.
