South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada can play cricket again after serving a drug ban.
News broke over the weekend that the Proteas star was serving a ban for the use of a “recreational drug.”
The Gujarat Titans player returned home from India last month, initially thought to be addressing an “important personal matter”, before revelations emerged that he had tested positive for a banned substance, which was allegedly weed.
The South African Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) confirmed in a statement that the 29-year-old has already served the ban.
“Mr. Rabada tested positive for substance abuse and was subsequently notified of the allegation of his doping offence on 1 April 2025,” SAIDS’s statement reads. “A provisional suspension was imposed, and Mr. Rabada returned immediately to South Africa from India.”
SAIDS confirmed the substance was found in Rabada’s system during the SA20 on 21 January this year, following the match between his MI Cape Town and Durban’s Super Giants at Kingsmead.
Rabada was randomly selected for testing, as per routine. After being made aware of the finding, he accepted the outcome and did not request a B-sample.
“The player accepted responsibility for the doping offence and honoured his provisional suspension. As per the South African anti-doping rules specifically pertaining to a substance of abuse, the player was offered an opportunity to complete a substance abuse treatment programme,” noted SAIDS.
“After Mr. Rabada satisfactorily completed two sessions of his treatment programme, his provisional suspension ended. The player has effectively served one (1) month period of ineligibility and may now resume participation in sport.”
Rabada’s suspension, which began on 1 April, was reduced from the standard three months to one month because he completed SAIDS’s substance abuse treatment programme.
Rabada could be in line to make a return for the Gujarat Titans on Tuesday when they meet the Mumbai Indians.
He’s also likely to be selected for the Proteas as they clash against Australia in the World Test Championship final beginning on 11 June at Lord’s Cricket Ground in England.
