Kolkata : Gujarat Titans and South African iconic pacer Kagiso Rabada is serving provisional suspension, for which his participation in IPL 2025 remainder is doubtful.
The speedster recently returned to South Africa midway through IPL after playing 2 matches for Gujarat Titans citing “personal reasons“.
In a statement issued by the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA), Kagiso Rabada confirmed that he was serving a “provisional suspension” after testing positive for a recreational drug during SA20 last season, where he represented MI Cape Town.
“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. I am serving a provisional suspension and I am looking forward to returning to the game I love playing.”
Rabada also thanked those who supported him throughout the episode:
“I couldn’t have gone through this alone. I’d like to thank my agent, CSA, and Gujarat Titans for their support. I’d also like to thank SACA and my legal team for their guidance and counsel. Most importantly, I’d like to thank my friends and family for their understanding and love.
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 was signed by the Gujarat Titans for Rs 10.75 crore at the IPL 2025 auction. He conceded 41 runs and took one wicket on his debut in the team’s season opener, which ended in a defeat to the Punjab Kings. In the next match, against the Mumbai Indians, he recorded figures of 1 for 42 before leaving the tournament midway.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has not yet issued an official statement on the matter.
Rabada’s future participation in domestic and international fixtures, IPL reminder remains uncertain while the provisional suspension is in place.
