South africa cricketers

Former Australia Test: Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine was left unimpressed over how Kagiso Rabada’s positive test after taking recreational drugs was hidden from public view. In April, Rabada flew home after playing first two matches of IPL 2025 for the Gujarat Titans’ (GT).

At that time, the franchise said Rabada’s departure was due to attending an important personal matter. On Saturday, via a statement from South Africa Cricketers’ Association (SACA), Rabada confirmed that he was under provisional suspension after testing positive for a banned substance, which is an unspecified recreational drug.

"It stinks. I don’t like this use around personal issues, and it being used to hide stuff that isn’t a personal issue. If you have a professional sportsman that’s tested for recreational drugs during a tournament in which he is playing, that doesn’t fall under personal issues for me.