Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada admitted yesterday that he had been absent from cricket for the last five weeks after “returning an adverse analytical finding for the use of a recreational drug”.
The type of drug was not mentioned in the statement Rabada released through the South African Cricketers Association (Saca), the local players union.
“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,” he said.
Rabada last played for his Indian Premier League team, the Gujarat Titans, on March 29. Four days later, the Titans released a statement saying Rabada had returned to South Africa “to deal with an important personal matter”.
Rabada was due to earn over R20m at Gujarat for the IPL, one of the highest salaries for a South African player. Rabada, who turns 30 later this month, has been the leader of the Proteas’ attack, and became the sixth SA bowler to go past 300 Test wickets — a landmark he achieved in Bangladesh last October.
Moving forward, this moment will not define me.
— Kagiso Rabada
He was instrumental in the Proteas reaching the final of the World Test Championship, where they will face Australia at Lord’s from June 11. He was also one of the top performers for the MI Cape Town team, which won this year’s SA20 competition, picking up four wickets in the final.
Rabada is understood to already be back in India, where he’s expected to return to the Titans team for the final weeks of the IPL. “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.”
The last Proteas player to be suspended for a positive drugs test was batter Zubayr Hamza, who served a nine-month suspension in 2022, after traces of furosemide, a prohibited substance, was found in his system.
“CSA is fully committed to drug-free sport and reminds cricket players, both professional and amateur, of the importance of adhering to all regulations. We are steadfast in our support to all players in this regard,” the organisation said.
Saca was unavailable for comment.
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