South African pacer Kagiso Rabada opens up use of banned substance during SA20 league

South Africa's pace sensation Kagiso Rabada has finally opened up about the one-month ban he faced after testing positive for using a banned recreational substance. During a recent media interaction, Rabada acknowledged his deeds. The player is all set to play the World Test Championship (WTC) finals against Australia at Lord's on June 11.

Speaking to the media, Rabada emphasized the importance of being honest with his teammates and those closest to him. “I think I owe it to them — they’re my teammates. We’ve come from so far, you know, and to my closest people, I owe it to them,” he said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. The Proteas pacer further explained that while he wasn’t seeking sympathy or praise, he believed it was necessary to confront the matter head-on and maintain trust within the team.

“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,” he added.

The incident took place in January 2025, when Rabada was participating in the SA20 league. Rabada was handed over a month ban from the South African Institute of Drug-Free Sport's anti-doping code. Following this, the player instantly withdrew his name from the IPL 2025 citing personal reasons – where he was representing Gujarat Titans (GT). However, the actual reason came out later when he was serving the ban.

Following his suspension, Rabada rejoined Gujarat Titans late in the IPL season, featuring in two matches after serving his ban. Throughout the disciplinary process, Rabada was fully cooperative, which played a key role in the relatively lenient punishment imposed by the governing bodies.

Reflecting on the experience, Rabada acknowledged that the time away from the game gave him a chance to introspect and recalibrate. “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.”

His return to the South African squad for the WTC final signals a turning point — both for his career and personal growth. The team will be relying heavily on his experience and skill as they prepare to take on a dominant Australian side in one of the most anticipated matches of the year.