IPL 2025: GT Director Vikram Solanki Defends Kagiso Rabada After Drug Suspension Controversy

May 6, 2025: Gujarat Titans‘ star pacer, Kagiso Rabada, has recently found himself at the center of controversy after revealing that he had tested positive for a recreational drug during the SA20 earlier this year. This led to a suspension that caused the South African cricketer to miss nearly a month of the IPL 2025 season, abruptly leaving the tournament in April.

The 2023 IPL champions have shown full support for the pacer, with Gujarat Titans’ Director of Cricket, Vikram Solanki, coming forward to back Rabada during this challenging time. Solanki addressed the controversy, emphasizing that Rabada deeply regretted the incident and had learned valuable lessons from it. He mentioned that Rabada expressed his desire to move past the episode and focus on his cricket career.

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“Speaking about Kagiso, I’d like to just get a couple of things across,” Solanki said in a recent statement. “The first of which would be that Kagiso has expressed regret at an error in judgement. He’s made a telling statement. I read his statement, and I thought that his statement speaks volumes about the personality of the character that he is. He has expressed regret, as I said. But he is very much looking forward to getting back to playing the game he loves.”

Solanki further stressed that Rabada had served his suspension and was eager to return to the game. He highlighted the importance of supporting players during both professional challenges and personal matters, noting that the team was ready to welcome him back with open arms. “He will take his lessons from this and we’re just looking forward to having him back part of our group, having him back at practice. He served his time,” Solanki added.

The Gujarat Titans’ director also reassured the public that all necessary procedures and protocols were followed in Rabada’s case, and the cricketer had complied with the required standards. “As far as procedure and protocol is concerned, everybody that’s involved in this episode, right from Kagiso, his representative, all matters, as far as requirements [go], have been followed to the letter,” Solanki clarified.

Though Solanki admitted that such distractions could potentially affect team dynamics, he maintained that the franchise stood firmly behind their player. “It’s easy to get distracted,” he acknowledged. “But as far as the team is concerned, he spoke very eloquently about the fact that this is something he’s dealing with. As far as the team is concerned, the team will of course support it. It’s our job to support the players we have, whether it be on the matter of form or it be on the matter of personal matters like this. We will be supportive of Kagiso.”

Rabada is now back with the Gujarat Titans, ready to focus on his game and make up for lost time, with the team and management showing a united front in supporting the talented pacer.