Came away with gratitude for cricket but life moves on, Rabada reflects on drug-use ordeal
South African right-arm quick Kagiso Rabada has revealed he has been honest to his teammates about his positive drug-test in January that saw him banned form cricket for a month. The spearhead talked about his reflections from the experience but asserted he does not feel bogged down by it.
Kagiso Rabada is set to lead the South African pace attack in the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's on June 11 following a one-month suspension from cricket due to a positive drug test in January. The 30-year-old was found guilty of consuming recreational drugs during the SA20 and while the substance was not specified, the South African Institute of Drug-Free Sport (compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency) lists only heroine, ecstacy, weed, and cocaine in the category Rabada was charged under. Nevertheless, the pacer is ready for the challenges the experience might throw at him, including explaining to his teammates as he faced the media for the first time since the incident.
"I think I owe it to them [to talk about what happened] - they're my team-mates. We've come from so far, you know, and to my closest people I owe it to them. Look, this is not an ideal situation. I don't need too many pats on the back here. I'm going to be joining with them again. I've already spoken to them and I guess we can do so in more detail when we get together for an extended amount of time," Rabada said before leading for London.
The news became public during the 2025 IPL when Rabada left Gujarat Titans midway through their campaign for 'personal reasons' and it was during his stay in South Africa that the positive test came to light. The quick admitted to the charges, which seemingly led to lenient charges meaning he was back in action for the last two league stage games of the season.
"It led me to a bit of introspection about myself, and I took some time away from the game. I think the biggest thing I took away from it is having gratitude for playing the game that we love. I'm just glad to be playing again… the process was handled really well," Rabada said.
"The decision to come back early [from the IPL] was brilliant, and that's a decision that I made. I could have tried to contest it and whatnot, but coming home was the best option, and I was in good hands. All the parties that were involved made the whole process smooth."
However, it has not been all smooth sailing for the veteran, as criticism has abounded from various quarters. At the forefront of those were comments made by former Australian Test skipper Tim Paine who stated fans had a right to know the details of the ordeal but the Proteas has chosen to ignore the disapprovals aimed at him.
"I think, as a player, and a man, people will have their different opinions. I can live with that," Rabada asserted.
"As you would have seen in my statement there are some people who would have been disappointed. And to those people I'm deeply sorry. The people closest to me are the ones I felt I let down. But life moves on. I'll never be 'Mr-I-Apologise' too much. But I'll never condone that action," he concluded.
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