IPL 2025, MI vs GT: Why is Kagiso Rabada not playing today in match number 56?

South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is finally back in the Indian Premier League. However, in the important match against the hosts Mumbai Indians, in the 56th game of the IPL 2025, Gujarat Titans pacer Rabada is still missing from the playing squad. GT captain Shubman Gill revealed the reason for Rabada's absence in the game despite being available for the match.

The 29-year-old South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has just silently served a one-month doping ban for drug use during the SA20 2025. After appearing in Gujarat Titans' first two matches of the IPL 2025, Rabada suddenly returned to his home, while the IPL franchise claimed it was due to a personal issue. 

According to the South African Institute for Drug Free Sports (SAIDS) report, Rabada had failed a doping test after the SA20 2025 match between MI Cape Town and Durban Super Giants on January 21, and his report was notified on April 1. While the fast bowler had returned home on April 3, he just returned to India, and was available for the match against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday evening (May 6). 

See Also: IPL 2025, MI vs GT: Why is Washington Sundar not playing today in match number 56?

Shubman Gill on Kagiso Rabada's absence during MI vs GT IPL 2025 match

However, the South African fast bowler wasn't in the Gujarat Titans squad in the important game on Tuesday evening. After choosing to bowl first, GT captain Shubman Gill clarified that they wanted to give him more time with a few more practice sessions to allow him to find his form comfortably.  

Gill claimed, "Rabada is back (in the squad), but he will need a few practice sessions and a few games to get back in his groove."

Kagiso Rabada is one of the best bowlers in IPL history

In two matches of the IPL 2025, Rabada picked up two wickets. Rabada holds the record for the fastest IPL 50 and 100 wickets. The right-arm fast bowler has recorded 119 wickets in 82 IPL matches. 

Rabada is also available for the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025 Final, where South Africa will face the defending champions Australia in June at Lord's.