Former cricketer slams Australia over Kagiso Rabada’s drug ban ahead of 2025 WTC Final between SA and AUS

Not only from the opponent cricketers, Kagiso Rabada may have to face some tough words from the Lord's gallery as well, a warning from former South Africa international Daryll Cullinan. South Africa, on a hunt for their maiden World Test Championship (WTC) title, has to rely on their experienced first bowler, Kagiso Rabada.

The 30-year-old's blowing performances have so far been overshadowed by the drug ban issue. Before the most important Test match at Lord's, England, Australia skipper Pat Cummins said that sledging someone over a drug ban issue is not their cup of tea. "It’s not really our style," Cummins told The Guardian when asked about whether Australians will sledge Rabada.

Despite this comment from Cummins, Cullinan has different thoughts. According to the former cricketer, not only from the Australian players, the Protean pacer may have to face sledging from the crowds as well. Cape Town-born Cullinan believed that Rabada could handle the situation and pull out his best to capture a historic moment.

Can be a double hurdle for Rabada

"Unfortunately, Rabada is going to deal with, for the rest of his career, comments being made relating to off-the-field matters, not only on the field but also by spectators. Only he can deal with it. The best would be just to take wickets. That'll settle that side of things too, but I think it'd be naive to think that comments won't be made and his attention brought to it, but it's going to be something that he's going to have to live with for the rest of his career, even if he's taking wickets," Cullinan said in an interview.

"I think he'll be fine with it, but I don't think any cricketer or person would like to be in a working environment and be reminded about their indiscretions, so he's going to have to live with it. As I said, good performances will go a long way to putting that to bed, but as long as he's playing cricket, he'll always be reminded of it."