Kagiso Rabada saw very dark days last year, when he was banned for one month of professional cricket after failing a drug test. Now, amid IPL 2026, the Gujarat Titans (GT) pacer was seen smoking a cigarette alongside another of his GT teammates. While smoking a cigarette is not an illegal act, the sequence of events makes it interesting for the South African maestro, who is considered an icon by many budding cricketers.
Watch: Kagiso Rabada’s viral video
The visuals, which have gone viral on social media, appear to show Rabada sitting in what looks like a hotel balcony or open area, casually smoking with a few others believed to be part of the GT setup. The exact details around the video, including when it was recorded, remain unclear, and its authenticity has not been independently verified. But that hasn’t stopped the chatter.
Social media noise, but no rule broken by Rabada
There’s a reason this has blown up more than it probably should have. Rabada isn’t just another overseas player. He’s one of the biggest fast-bowling names going around and with that comes a different level of scrutiny.
From a purely professional standpoint, there is no breach here. Smoking, while not ideal for an athlete, does not violate any cricketing or anti-doping regulations. And once something like this gets out, it tends to travel quickly.
The reactions have been predictable. Some fans have brushed it aside as a personal choice, arguing that what a player does off the field shouldn’t be overanalysed. Others have been pointing to the responsibility that comes with being a role model, especially for Rabada, who has a massive fan following in India as well.
Kagiso Rabada’s ‘cocaine’ ban in 2025
The biggest reason why Rabada’s smoking video has blown up is what happened not too long ago. In 2025, Rabada served a one-month suspension after testing positive for a recreational drug during the SA20. The substance, a cocaine metabolite, was found in a sample taken in January that year. He was notified in April, left the IPL midway citing personal reasons and later admitted to what he called an “error in judgment.”
The ban was eventually reduced after he completed a treatment program and cooperated fully with authorities, allowing him to return in time for the latter half of IPL 2025 and South Africa’s World Test Championship final. After some trolling during the WTC final, Rabada replied with the ball in his hand, taking a magnificent fifer in the final to help South Africa clinch their maiden World Cup.
Meanwhile, Rabada’s IPL 2026 raw numbers have been great. He has picked up 10 wickets in six matches this season, sitting comfortably among the leading wicket-takers for Gujarat Titans. His average of 22.20 and economy rate just under 10 has kept his place in the side despite Jason Holder sitting on the bench.
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