The South African Institute for Drug Free Sports (SAIDS) have confirmed that Kagiso Rabada has served his one-month ban for using a banned substance and can return to the field immediately. Rabada, who plays in the IPL for Gujarat Titans, left the squad after just two games and returned to South Africa, citing personal reasons. But in a shocking twist, the pacer then revealed that he was serving a ban for failing a drug test.
The positive test happened while Rabada was playing in the SA20 for MI Cape Town. The report from Club Cricket SA states that Rabada returned from India after the suspension was imposed and said the pacer honoured it and accepted responsibility for the doping offence.
“Substances of abuse are substances that are identified as such because they are frequently abused in society outside the context of sport. “The following are designated substances of abuse – cocaine, heroin, MDMA/’ecstasy, THC,” read Monday’s statement from SAIDS.
“A provisional suspension was imposed and Rabada returned immediately to South Africa from India. Rabada accepted responsibility for the doping offence and honoured his provisional suspension.”
“He is allowed to resume playing immediately.”
Rabada returns to India for IPL and get ready for WTC Final
Rabada has returned to India to be a part of the remainder of the IPL as GT continue their push for a finish in the play-off spots. The pacer expressed his regret at the incident and said that the moment won’t define him.
“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.”
“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.”
Rabada is the fifth-highest wicket-taker for South Africa in Tests with 327 scalps in 70 matches. He will be key for South Africa during the WTC Final against Australia later this year.
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