Cricket's quiet battle with drugs: Rabada the latest casualty
Dubai: Doping cases in cricket are relatively rare compared to other sports — given its emphasis on skill over strength. In the sport's 148-year history, only a handful of players have been banned for recreational or performance-enhancing drugs. South African pacer Kagiso Rabada is provisionally suspended for taking recreational drugs. .Kagiso RabadaThe South African fast bowler is the latest victim and withdrew from IPL 2025 after testing positive for recreational drugs during a domestic T20. The 29-year-old expressed regret and is under provisional suspension. .Shane WarneThe legendary leg-spinner was banned for 12 months on the eve of the 2003 World Cup after testing positive for Moduretic, a diuretic used to mask banned substances. Warne claimed his mother gave it to him for weight loss. He later admitted to alcohol issues but denied using illicit drugs..Yusuf PathanThe Indian all-rounder was suspended for five months in 2018 after testing positive for a banned substance he said was part of medication for a throat infection..Alex HalesThe England opener tested positive for recreational drug in 2019 — his second offence after Bristol nightclub brawl — and received a three-week ban. He retired from international cricket in 2023..Dion Nash, Stephen Fleming, and Matthew HartDuring New Zealand's 1995 tour of South Africa, the trio were banned after being caught using cannabis. Fleming and Hart admitted their involvement; Nash claimed he only pretended. The incident came to light after teammate Danny Morrison reported it..Phil TufnellDuring England's 1996–97 tour of New Zealand, Tufnell was accused of using cannabis but was cleared. Months later, he missed a drug test after a county match and was give a suspended sentence for 18 months..Ian BothamThe iconic all-rounder was banned for 63 days after admitting in 1986 that he had smoked cannabis. He returned to surpass Dennis Lillee's Test wickets record at The Oval..Pradeep SangwanIn 2013, the Kolkata Knight Riders pacer became the first Indian cricketer banned for doping after testing positive for stanozolol during IPL 6. He was handed an 18-month suspension..Upul TharangaThe Sri Lanka opener tested positive for prednisolone, an asthma medication, during the 2011 World Cup and received a three-month ban — becoming the first Sri Lankan to fail a dope test..Kagiso Rabada suspended after drug test: 'I regret my actions'
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