The South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada has clarified the real reasons behind his withdrawal from IPL 2025 representing the Gujarat Titans. Rabada cited "personal reasons" for leaving the IPL, but now explains that his ability to travel and play in the IPL is limited because he has a provisional suspension for an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for a prohibited recreational drug. Rabada expressed deep regret and emphasized that the incident has been a significant learning experience.

Kagiso Rabada revealed that he left IPL 2025 due to a provisional suspension after testing positive for a banned recreational drug. The star South Africa pacer expressed regret for letting people down and acknowledged the privilege of playing cricket. Rabada said since the beginning it had been humbling to experience and he thanked his agent, CSA, Gujarat Titans, SACA, his lawyer team, friends and family for their support. He concluded by saying this was not going to define him and that he would be coming back stronger, and continue to work hard and play the game with passion and commitment.

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“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. As has been reported, I recently returned to South Africa from participating in the IPL for personal reasons. This was due to my returning an adverse analytical finding for the use of a recreational drug. 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,” he added in a full public statement.

🚨 STATEMENT FROM KAGISO RABADA 🚨

- Rabada serving a provisional suspension after an adverse analytical finding of the use of a Recreational Drug. pic.twitter.com/Odyx04x1fl

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 3, 2025

Kagiso Rabada banned for life?

As far as the reports are to be believed then Kagiso Rabada's drug test happened during the SA20 tournament, but reports surfaced during the IPL 2025 season. The test detected banned recreational substances and, importantly, it was not a performance-enhancing substance. This distinction is important in making clarifications that Rabada's wrongdoing was conduct and not an enhancement.

There is still ambiguity around the exact timing of the test—whether it was conducted before or during Rabada’s time in the IPL. He had played just two games for Gujarat Titans before exiting the tournament mid-season for what was initially cited as a personal reason.