IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans pacer Rabada available for Mumbai match after serving drug suspension
South African pacer Kagiso Rabada will be available for selection for Gujarat Titans’ Indian Premier League 2025 fixture against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday.
After completing a substance abuse treatment programme following a positive test for a recreational drug during the SA20 competition in January, and serving a one-month suspension after the discovery in April, the speedster attended the team’s training session at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.
“As far as tomorrow’s match is concerned, he is now available given all of the decisions that have been taken and everything that has transpired over the past month or so,” said Vikram Solanki, Gujarat Titans’ director of cricket.
Rabada recently participated in an education and awareness programme aimed at preventing future substance abuse, and Solanki stated that the bowler is eager to move on.
“It is easy to get distracted. One of the things he’s made very clear is that he doesn’t want this episode to distract anybody. As far as the team is concerned,” Solanki said.
“He spoke very eloquently about the fact that this is something he’s dealing with. It’s not an issue as far as the team is concerned. The team will, of course, support him. It’s our job to support the players we have, whether it be on a matter of form or personal matters like this. We will be supportive of Kagiso. We’re confident that he’s had some time to reflect,” Solanki, a former England international, added.
Rabada’s sanction follows World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines for recreational drug use. New Zealand’s Doug Bracewell faced a similar penalty last year.
