Kagiso Rabada has spoken out following his one-month ban for recreational drug use, admitting the mistake but also emphasizing that he would not dwell on the past. The South African pacer, who tested positive for a banned substance in January during the SA20 league, has since served his suspension and is focused on returning to the international scene ahead of South Africa’s World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Rabada Acknowledges the Impact on Team Dynamics
Rabada understands the importance of addressing his suspension with his team-mates. In his first media interaction since the incident, he made it clear that he owed it to his teammates to explain the situation. “I think I owe it to them – they’re my teammates. We’ve come from so far,” Rabada said. “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 clarified that while he felt remorse, he didn’t want to be overly apologetic. “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,” he added, emphasizing his commitment to moving forward.
Positive Test and Personal Reflection
Rabada had returned to South Africa from the IPL 2025 in late March under the guise of “personal reasons.” It was later revealed that he had tested positive for a banned substance, which could have been cannabis, cocaine, heroin, or ecstasy, according to the South African Institute of Drug-Free Sport’s code.
The bowler chose not to disclose the specific circumstances that led to his positive test. However, Rabada did reflect on the situation, stating, “It led me to a bit of introspection about myself, and I took some time away from the game.” He further noted that the experience made him more grateful for his opportunity to play cricket and for the smooth handling of the entire process.
Returning to the Game with Gratitude
Rabada’s early return from IPL 2025 and his decision to face the consequences head-on, rather than contest them, were key moments in the process. “The decision to come back early was brilliant,” Rabada said. “I could have tried to contest it, but coming home was the best option. I was in good hands.”
Rabada also expressed gratitude to those involved in managing the situation, calling it a “smooth process.” “I think, as a player and a man, people will have their different opinions. I can live with that,” he said.
Apologies and Moving Forward
While Rabada had issued a public apology to his fans, he is now focused on getting back to doing what he loves – playing cricket for South Africa. “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,” he said. “The people closest to me are the ones I felt I let down.”
However, Rabada emphasized that life goes on and that he would not continue to apologize excessively. “I’ll never be ‘Mr. I-Apologize’ too much. But I’ll never condone that action,” he concluded.
Looking Ahead
Rabada is ready to return to the field, having learned valuable lessons from his suspension. With the WTC final approaching, he is focused on making a positive impact for South Africa as they seek to compete for the prestigious title.
