By Swapneel Deshpande 11 May 2025, 14:26 IST
In a shocking revelation, South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada tested positive for cocaine, a Class-A banned substance. Rabada, who was playing for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025, returned home midway through the tournament. Initially, it was said that he left for personal reasons. But now, it has been confirmed that he was serving a one-month suspension due to a doping violation.
The incident dates back to January 21. Rabada was tested after a match between MI Cape Town and Durban Super Giants in the SA20 league. The result showed the presence of cocaine in his system. The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) confirmed this. According to SAIDS rules, Rabada received a one-month ban after completing a substance abuse program.
This rule allows athletes to reduce their ban from three months to one if the drug use was not linked to sports performance and if they attend treatment.
Rabada missed most of IPL 2025 due to the suspension. So far, he has played only two matches this season. His performance has been below average, with an economy of 10.38 and a bowling average of 41.50.
Despite the setback, Rabada is now free to play. Gujarat Titans are counting on him as the tournament resumes next week. He is also expected to be a key player for South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia. The match is crucial for South Africa as they chase their first WTC title.
After the reports surfaced, Rabada admitted to violating the code of conduct. He issued an apology to fans and promised to be more responsible in the future. The incident has sparked debate among fans and experts, but many hope Rabada will bounce back stronger on the field.
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