‘You Broke the Contract’: Rabada’s IPL Return Marred by Doping Drama

Kagiso Rabada has revealed that he was banned from the IPL due to his recreational drug use. The Gujarat Titans’ bowler is set to make his return in the Indian Premier League on May 6 against Mumbai Indians.

South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada returned to India after serving a suspension following a failed dope test. According to reports, he will likely return to play against MI in Wankhede on Tuesday. However, former Australian captain Tim Paine was displeased with the secrecy around this matter and demanded to know the authorities responsible.

Rabada’s Suspension

Rabada suddenly left the IPL at the end of March. He reportedly headed back home due to a personal issue. However, on Saturday, he revealed that he had tested positive for a recreational drug and was serving his provisional ban for the same.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport, the national anti-doping agency in South Africa, are set to clarify the matter on Monday, May 5. Rabada, on the other hand, has already apologised for his actions on social media and is set to return soon.

Paine Slams the Authorities

“It stinks. I don’t like this use around personal issues, and it being used to hide stuff that isn’t a personal issue. If you have a professional sportsman who’s tested for recreational drugs during a tournament in which he is playing, that doesn’t fall under personal issues for me. That falls under you have broken your contract. That is not a personal issue, that is something that is happening in your personal life.

“Taking drugs – recreational or performance enhancing – is not a personal issue that can just be hidden for a month. A guy can be taken out the IPL, moved back to South Africa and we just let it slide under the rug. Then we will bring him back once he’s already served his ban,” he said.

“Not only will he play against Australia in the World Test Championship, but he’s also available to play now in the IPL,” Paine said. “No one knew about what he’s taken, what he was given or who the organising body that oversaw it was.

“If he is going to take drugs and be caught doing it, I think people deserve to know what he’s taken, how long he is being rubbed out for and who sanctioned it (the suspension). People need to be held to account for stuff like that.”

Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram