The South African pacer, Kagiso Rabada, has served a one-month ban for his recreational drug use that occurred during the SA20 competition earlier this year.
The South African pacer was in India when he was officially notified of the offense in April. He was representing Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League. After that, he returned to South Africa to undergo a treatment program. He completed the treatment program successfully and is now available to play cricket.
South African Institute for Drug Free Sports (SAIDS) has confirmed that Rabada failed a doping test on January 21 after the match between MI Cape Town and Durban Super Giants. According to the statement he was informed of the result on April 1, and after that, a provisional suspension was imposed.
They also said that Rabada had participated in an education and awareness program to prevent further substance abuse. He can resume playing immediately and can return to play for Gujarat on Tuesday.
“Mr. Rabada tested positive for a Substance of Abuse and was subsequently notified of the allegation of his doping offense on 1 April 2025. A provisional suspension was imposed and Mr. Rabada returned immediately to South Africa from India,” the release stated. While the specific drug was not named in the statement, Article 4.2.3 of the SAIDS Code lists cocaine, heroin, MDMA/ecstasy, and THC among the substances of abuse.
Here is what Article 10.2.4.1 of the SAIDS Code refers to.
“If the athlete can establish that any ingestion or use occurred out-of-competition and was unrelated to sport performance, then the period of ineligibility shall be three (3) months. This may be reduced to one (1) month if the athlete satisfactorily completes a substance abuse treatment program approved by SAIDS.”
Rabada completed the required treatment program according to SAIDS and his provisional suspension was lifted. The release also added, “The player accepted responsibility for the doping offense and honored his provisional suspension.”
“As per the South African Anti-Doping Rules specifically pertaining to Substances of Abuse, the player was offered an opportunity to complete a substance abuse treatment program. After Mr. Rabada satisfactorily completed two sessions of his treatment program, his provisional suspension ended. The player has effectively served a one-month period of ineligibility and may now resume participation in sport.”