Kagiso Rabada. Picture: Instagram
Proteas bowler Kagiso Rabada has now been given the greenlight to return to the pitch following his recent ban.
The 29-year-old recently faced a one-month suspension as from the 1 April this after he tested positive for the use of a recreational drug during a matche between MI Cape Town and Durban Superkings match in January, the South African Institute of Drug-free Sport (SAIDS) announced on Monday.
According to Daily Maverick the bowler was randomly selected to undergo testing and after he was made aware of the findings, he immediately acknowledged and accepted the outcome.
“Mr Rabada tested positive for a Substance of Abuse and was subsequently notified of the allegation of his doping offence on 1 April 2025,” SAIDS said in a statement.
While the standard procedure usually results in an athlete facing a three month suspension on the basis that the offense was unrelated to sports performance, Kagiso’s suspension was reduced to one month after he agreed to complete a substance abuse treatment programme.
With his one-month suspension now over, he is now once again available to return to the cricket oval.
Meanwhile the fast bowler has recently also shared a statement in which he apologised to the public.
“I will never take the privilege of playing cricket for granted. This privilege is much larger than me. It goes beyond my personal aspirations.”
“Moving forward, this moment will not define me,” he stated. “I will keep doing what I have always done — continuously working hard and playing with passion and devotion to my craft,” he stated.
