May 5, 2025: South African pacer Kagiso Rabada has admitted to testing positive for a recreational drug, breaking his silence over his abrupt withdrawal from IPL 2025 in late March. Initially described as a “personal issue,” Rabada’s absence was later revealed to stem from a provisional suspension following a failed drug test conducted during the SA20 League earlier this year.
Rabada, who plays for Gujarat Titans, is expected to return for their match against Mumbai Indians on May 6, after completing what appears to be a brief suspension period. In a statement released via his social media, the 28-year-old apologized for his actions and confirmed he is ready to resume playing.
However, the revelation sparked criticism from former Australian captain Tim Paine, who expressed outrage over the lack of transparency surrounding the case.
“It stinks. I don’t like this use around ‘personal issues’ being used to hide stuff that isn’t a personal issue… Taking drugs — recreational or performance-enhancing — is not a personal issue that can just be hidden for a month,” Paine said on SEN Radio.
He questioned why the IPL, Cricket South Africa (CSA), and other governing bodies had kept the matter under wraps and criticized the quiet re-entry of Rabada into competitive cricket.
“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,” Paine added.
According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, recreational drugs such as cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy), heroin, and THC fall under “Substances of Abuse.” Typically, violations result in a three-month ban, but the suspension can be reduced to one month if the athlete proves the drug was taken out-of-competition and completes a Substance of Abuse treatment program.
CSA and the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport are expected to issue a formal statement on May 5, which could provide further clarity on the incident and Rabada’s eligibility.
Meanwhile, Rabada’s return could stir more debate as he is likely to face Australia in the World Test Championship Final in June, a prospect that Paine believes the cricketing world should scrutinize closely.