South African cricketer Rabada under suspension due to positive drug test result
Crankin' It Up Again: The Return of Kagiso Rabada
In a surprising turn of events, the charismatic powerhouse that is Kagiso Rabada, aged 29, is gearing up for a comeback, following a brief absence from the game he loves dearly. While playing only two matches for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Rabada headed back to South Africa in April for reasons that were initially left unspecified.
However, in a candid statement issued by the South African Cricketers' Association, Rabada confessed that he had been hit with an unfavorable Analytical Finding for the utilization of a recreational drug. This revelation led to a provisional suspension. Unfortunately, the exact duration of the sanction or the date of Rabada's anticipated return to action was not outlined in the announcement. But, the stoic Rabada expressed his eagerness to get back on the field, stating, "I am looking forward to returning to the game I love playing."
With four fixtures still left in the league phase of the IPL, starting with a clash against the formidable Mumbai Indians on May 9, Gujarat Titans are poised to make a playoff run having won seven out of their ten encounters.
Kagiso Rabada, the crown jewel of South African fast bowling, has an impressive tally of 327 wickets in 70 Tests, firmly establishing himself as a key player for the Springbok Cricket team. His exploits will likely be on display during the World Test Championship final versus Australia, set to commence at Lord's in London on June 11.
Reflecting on his predicament, Rabada admitted, "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." He added, "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."
It's worth noting that Rabada's indiscretion involved a Substance of Abuse rather than a performance-enhancing drug, which usually results in shorter suspensions under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations. Specific details about the recreational substance involved have not been disclosed, but it seems to adhere to WADA's approach to such substances, which generally entails less severe sanctions compared to performance-enhancing substances.
Welcome back to the asphalt, Kagiso! Let's hope the Masterblaster gets to unleash his magic and help himself and his team rewrite dreams in the IPL and beyond.
Kagiso Rabada served a suspension of approximately one month for a positive test involving a Substance of Abuse during the SA20 competition (which triggered a provisional suspension on April 1, 2025). As of early May 2025, Rabada has completed his suspension and is available to play again. He was expected to return to action for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) around May 7, 2025. Rabada's incident involved a Substance of Abuse rather than a performance-enhancing drug, which typically results in shorter suspensions under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations. The specific recreational substance involved was not disclosed.
© 2025 AFP
In light of the edited timeline, Kagiso Rabada, the South African cricket sensation, can potentially showcase his skills in sports competitions outside of Africa, such as India, once his suspension is over. Following his brief break, Rabada is anticipated to play for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League around May 7, 2025.
