Kagiso Rabada Suspended After Testing Positive for Recreational Drug: ‘Deeply Sorry’

Kagiso Rabada Suspended After Testing Positive for Recreational Drug: Kagiso Rabada, the South African fast bowler from Gujarat Titans, recently returned home for personal reasons, but it was not clear when he would return to India and play for the rest of IPL 2025. The Proteas speedster finally revealed the reason for his absence from the tournament: He served a "provisional suspension" for testing positive for a "recreational drug."

Rabada released a statement Friday evening, asking forgiveness from fans he has let down. He also expressed he would never take playing cricket for granted.

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According to ESPNCricinfo, Rabada is now back in India to complete the IPL 2025 timetable. According to the report, he was on drugs during the SA20, where he was playing for MI Cape Town. He was convicted for using a recreational drug, not a performance-enhancing drug.

“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,” Rabada said in an official statement.

“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,” he added.

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‘Couldn’t have gone through this alone'

Rabada thanked Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Gujarat Titans for their assistance, stating he "could not have gone through it alone".

“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 SAGA 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,” said Rabada.

“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,” he added.

Rabada gave two wickets in two matches for the Gujarat Titans under Shubman Gill's captaincy in IPL 2025. Recently, Gill stated the franchise expects Proteas pacer to return in 10-12 days to participate in the remainder of the T20 tournament.

Rabada was purchased by the Gujarat Titans for INR 10.75 in the mega auction in Saudi Arabia in November 2024.

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