Kagiso Rabada is set to make his much-anticipated return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 after being cleared to play in today’s high-voltage encounter between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI). The South African speedster, who was provisionally suspended following a positive drug test during SA20 earlier this year, has rejoined the GT camp and is available for selection, Gujarat’s Director of Cricket Vikram Solanki confirmed on the eve of the match.
The 29-year-old flew back to South Africa in early April after testing positive for a recreational substance in a post-match test following the MI Cape Town vs Durban Super Giants fixture on January 21. While the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) mandates a minimum three-month suspension, it can be reduced to one month if the athlete proves the use was out-of-competition and completes a treatment program — conditions Rabada is understood to have met, as confirmed by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS).
“GT will support Rabada, ” says Solanki
Addressing media ahead of the Mumbai Indians clash, Solanki was vocal in his support for the fast bowler. “Kagiso has expressed regret, taken responsibility, and completed all necessary protocols. He’s shown great maturity and is focused on contributing to the team,” Solanki said. “We’re glad to have him back at such a crucial juncture.”
“It is easy to get distracted. And one of the things he’s made very clear is that he doesn’t want this episode to distract anybody. As far as the team is concerned. He spoke very eloquently about the fact that this is something he’s dealing with. It’s not a matter as far as the team is concerned. The team will, of course, support him.“
Gujarat Titans’ Probable Playing XII vs MI
Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Ishant Sharma/Gerald Coetzee
Rabada had featured in Gujarat’s first two games of IPL 2025 — against Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians — picking up two wickets before the suspension was imposed. With GT locked in playoff race, his return adds much-needed firepower to a bowling attack that has lacked bite in recent outings.
