South African quick Kagiso Rabada is serving a provisional suspension after testing positive for the use of a recreational drug.
Rabada had featured in two IPL matches for Gujarat Titans in March, after being signed up for INR 10.75 crore (approx. £958,000) in the player auction in November.
On April 2, Gujarat skipper Shubman Gill confirmed at the toss ahead of his side's match against RCB that Rabada would not be part of the playing XI due to personal reasons. He had been present at the team's training session the previous evening.
The following morning, GT announced in a statement that "Kagiso Rabada has returned to South Africa from the ongoing season of the TATA IPL due to some personal reasons. The South Africa international was a part of Gujarat Titans’ first two matches of the TATA IPL 2025."
There was no information provided at the time, either by the franchise or the league on when, or whether, he would return.
'I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down'
On Saturday (May 3), a month after he left the IPL, more clarity emerged on the situation. Reports from South Africa stated that he had tested positive for a banned substance – and Rabada himself issued a personal statement via the South African Cricketers' Association.
"As has been reported, I recently returned to South Africa from participating in the IPL for personal reasons," the statement said. "This was due to my returning an adverse analytical finding for the use of a recreational drug.
"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.
"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 SACA 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.
"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."
Details are awaited on the exact nature and length of this suspension. According to ESPNcricinfo, the transgression occurred during the SA20.
The IPL runs until May 25, and Rabada is also expected to be part of South Africa's squad for the World Test Championship final which they will contest against Australia at Lord's, from June 11.
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