Kagiso Rabada set for IPL comeback soon, reports suggest
IMMINENT RETURN? Kagiso Rabada is poised for IPL return soon despite provisional suspension for recreational drug use, with the ban likely already served. Picture: Punit Paranjpe / AFP
Image: Punit Paranjpe / AFP
When the news broke that Kagiso Rabada had tested positive for a banned substance, it was assumed he would be ineligible for the World Test Championship final in June.
As it turns out, Rabada could have served much of his ban already and could return to action soon for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL as he has already returned to India.
Though no dates have been confirmed, if you look at when he left the IPL to return home to South Africa to attend to ‘significant personal matters’ he could have already begun serving his suspension at the beginning of April.
Rabada last played in the IPL on March 29, and returned to SA on April 3.
Kagiso Rabada Serving Provisional Suspension for Recreational Drug Use
In his statement confirming the suspension, he said, "I am serving a provisional suspension and I am looking forward to returning to the game I love playing.”
The South African Cricketers' Association (SACA), who issued Rabada’s statement, have not revealed anything other than what was in the initial announcement on Saturday.
The good news, though, is that Rabada tested positive for a ‘recreational drug’, and not a performance-enhancing one.
The South African Agency for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) is expected to make an announcement relating to Rabada’s case this week.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Rabada could expect a ban of around a month based on a similar case last year. New Zealand cricketer Doug Bracewell was banned for a month for cocaine use.
Of course, we still don’t know what Rabada tested positive for, and that could affect the length of the ban, but the fact that it’s a recreational drug (and not performance-enhancing) will count in his favour.
ESPNcricinfo also said its sources at Cricket SA (CSA) revealed Rabada would not miss any more cricket.