April 3, 2025: Gujarat Titans (GT) pacer Kagiso Rabada has returned to South Africa from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season due to personal reasons. The South African fast bowler, who had featured in GT’s first two matches of the 2025 season against Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI), was unable to continue with the team. Rabada took one wicket each in both of his appearances, with bowling figures of 1/41 and 1/42 in his four-over spells.
GT issued a statement confirming his departure, mentioning that Rabada had left the tournament to handle an important personal matter. “Kagiso Rabada has returned to South Africa from the ongoing season of the TATA IPL 2025 due to some personal reasons. He was a part of Gujarat Titans’ first two matches and has returned home to deal with an important personal matter,” the statement said.
Rabada, who has established himself as one of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket, formed part of a lethal pace attack for GT, alongside teammates like Gerald Coetzee, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and veteran Ishant Sharma. With 278 wickets in 222 T20 matches, an average of 23.33, and an economy rate of 8.02, Rabada remains one of South Africa’s most reliable pacers across all formats. His extensive experience in international cricket is highlighted by his 566 wickets in 241 matches.
Rabada’s absence leaves a notable gap in GT’s pace attack as the season continues.