05 May, 2025 | 06:07 PM
South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has served a one-month suspension for recreational drug use and is now eligible to return to cricket, including for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia next month. The ban, which was reduced from the standard three-month period, followed a failed doping test during the SA20 earlier this year.
The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) confirmed that Rabada tested positive on January 21 after a match between MI Cape Town and Durban Super Giants. He was officially notified of the result on April 1 while playing in the IPL for Gujarat Titans (GT), who then announced his return to South Africa for "personal reasons" just two days later.
Rabada participated in a mandatory education and awareness program aimed at preventing future substance abuse. The offence falls under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) category for recreational drug use, which includes substances like cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, and diamorphine.
SAIDS’ handling of Rabada's case mirrors that of other recent instances, such as New Zealand’s Doug Bracewell, who received a similar punishment after testing positive for cocaine last year.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has opted not to impose any additional sanctions on Rabada and issued a statement referring to the incident as “regrettable.” The board said it was satisfied with Rabada's remorse and professional conduct following the revelation.
“I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down,” Rabada said in a public apology. “I will never take the privilege of playing cricket for granted. This privilege is much larger than me. It goes beyond my personal aspirations.”
Rabada, South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in the current WTC cycle with 47 wickets at an average of 19.97, is expected to play a crucial role in the WTC final against Australia.
While Rabada’s return has been welcomed by CSA, not everyone is satisfied with how the case was managed—especially the initial explanation for his IPL exit. Gujarat Titans had cited “personal reasons” for his departure, a description now under scrutiny.
Former Australia captain Tim Paine was particularly critical of the lack of transparency. Speaking to SEN Radio, Paine argued that the framing of Rabada’s situation misled the public.
“It stinks. I don’t like this use around ‘personal issues’… That is not a personal issue, that is something that is happening in your personal life,” Paine said. “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 of the IPL, moved back to South Africa, and we just let it slide under the rug. Then we bring him back once he's already served his ban.”
ESPNcricinfo reached out to both CSA and the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) when Rabada left the IPL but received only vague responses. Officials either cited a personal issue or declined to comment further.
With the matter now officially closed, Rabada could return to action as early as Tuesday when Gujarat Titans face Mumbai Indians, although the focus will quickly shift to the WTC final, where his presence will be vital to South Africa’s chances.
