Kagiso Rabada Tested Positive For Cocaine, Legal Team Helped Avoid Lengthy Ban
A report claims that Kagiso Rabada's one-month ban midway into IPL 2025 was after traces of a cocaine-based metabolite was discovered during a drug test.
Cricketing fans were left perplexed when the South African pacer, Kagiso Rabada, opted to leave the squad midway through the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League without any details regarding his reasons.
The release by the IPL mentioned that the bowler flew back home citing 'personal reasons'. But a statement by the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) mentioned that the bowler had travelled back home after an adverse finding for the use of a recreational drug and was serving a provisional suspension for this violation of the World Anti-Doping Agency code.
But a report by Rapport sheds light on the drug that is in question. The report claims that as per the urine sample provided by the cricketer on January 21, 2025, after the SA20 fixture between MI Cape Town and the Durban Super Giants at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban, 'traces of benzoylecgonine (BZE), a metabolite of cocaine' were detected.
advetisement
Usually when an athlete is known to be using drugs, it can result in a lengthy ban but the CEO of South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS), Khalid Grant was quoted appreciating the manner in which Rabada and his legal team went about the whole issue, which could have been a big blot in his career.
'He was smart to go down that route. If you know you did it, it saves you time and legal fees," he was quoted as saying.
His legal-team were able to prove the the usage of the drug was out of competition based on the concentration of the metabolite which was less than 1000 nanograms per millilitre. This meant that as per WADA code, his ban would be reduced to a month.
The bowler had also released a statement regarding the whole issue but did not openly admit to the usage of drugs. He remains committed to maintaining his professional standards as an athlete and wants to make a quick return to the sport.
For the moment, the Indian Premier League has been suspended due to the ongoing India-Pakistan military tensions and is in the works to be restarted soon. It remains to be seen whether certain areas like Dharamsala, Jaipur, and others will continue to host games, considering the possibility of blackouts within the respective states.
Watch CNN-News18 here. Stay updated with all the latest news on IPL 2025, including the schedule, Points Table, IPL Orange Cap, and IPL Purple Cap. Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
First Published:
May 11, 2025, 16:30 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
34 minutes ago
- News18
Revealed: Gambhir's Football Trick Behind Keeping India's Intra-Squad Game Private
Last Updated: A new report has revealed a footballing reason why India's intra-squad game before the England Tests is being played behind closed doors. The Indian team's decision to keep the intra-squad practice game ahead of the five-Test series against England a private affair, played behind closed doors, was reportedly inspired by European football clubs. The unofficial four-day match begins on Friday (June 13) — it won't be broadcast, unlike the India 'A' games against England Lions recently, and would not have First-Class status. It's unlikely any scorecard will be made public. According to news agency PTI, the Gautam Gambhir-led team management wants to prevent England from' getting any ideas on the tactical front' by being able to watch the game. The same practice was followed in Australia before the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India lost 3-1. This is the new Shubman Gill-led set-up's only match simulation before the Test series begins on June 20 at Headingley. Because of the delay in the conclusion of IPL 2025, for several players who didn't play the India 'A' games, this is the only intense red-ball practice they get. It'll allow Gambhir and Co. to test various key aspects, like the batting order after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's retirements, bowling combinations and so on. Players from the India 'A' side, who are not part of the Test team, have stayed back and are also likely to be involved. They'll have the opportunity to make a case for a Test debut in case of injuries. Gambhir, under pressure after having lost his last two Test series as the coach, tried to pump the team up. 'There are two ways of looking at this tour. One is we are without our three most experienced players or we got this phenomenal opportunity to do something special for the country," he told referring to the recent retirements of legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit and Kohli. 'When I look around in this group, I think I see the hunger, the passion and the commitment to do something special. If we make sacrifices, if we come out of our comfort zone, if we start fighting not every day but every session, every hour and every ball, I think we can have a memorable tour," he added. First Published:
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
AUS vs SA, WTC 2025 final: Can South Africa break jinx while chasing in fourth innings? What do previous records say?
The ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final is poised for a thrilling conclusion after Australia lead by 218 runs despite losing eight wickets in the second innings at Day 2 stumps against South Africa at Lord's. After Australia were bundled for 212 in the first innings, South Africa managed just 138, thus conceding a 74-run lead to the defending champions. At the close of Day 2, Australia are 144/8. The WTC 2025 final is proving to be a landmark Test for the fast bowlers. Following Kagiso Rabada's 5/51 on Day 1, Australia captain Pat Cummins entered history books with a 6/28 to get to 300 wickets. South Africa lost their last five wickets in first innings for 12 runs in 5.5 overs. Rabada was once again in action in the Australian second innings with the wickets of Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green before Lungi Ngidi took three wickets, including Steve Smith (13), in an inspired spell. Tottering at 73/7, Australia managed to rebuild in the final hour through a crucial eighth-wicket partnership of 61 between wicketkeeper Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc (16 not out). As many as 14 wickets tumbled for the second straight day. With the WTC 2025 final heading towards to a potentially final day on Friday, South Africa will have a task cut out, especially by their batters at Lord's. The Proteas are seeking its first ICC trophy this century.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
India bowling coach Morne Morkel admits he was nervous ahead of England tour
India bowling coach Morne Morkel said he was a little bit nervous going into the tour of England due to the lack of red-ball cricket the side has had in the past few months. India last played a Test match in January during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the players have since been occupied with white-ball assignments, including the Champions Trophy and the IPL. advertisementThe England tour will be the start of the new World Test Championship cycle for India, having missed out on the 2023-25 final. Speaking to the BCCI's official website, Morkel said he is happy with the start so far to the training camp in England. The bowling coach is happy with the progress of the players and feels that confidence and team spirit is needed heading into the Test series. "All in all, happy with the start so far. I was a little bit nervous in terms of the lack of red ball we've played but seeing how the guys are moving around and training in the last three days is a pleasing sight. We have a fantastic group. There's some quality energy and that's what you need. You need to go into a Test series confident and have that team spirit," said Morkel. advertisement Morkel feels that consistency will be crucial in England and is happy with the variety in the bowling lineup this time around for the tour. "I think consistency is crucial in England and there is consistency when we practice, there's consistency off the field, finding your process, what's going to work for you as an individual," said Morkel. "We've got a great variation, variety in our attack, guys with different skill sets so they can do that and still execute the basics well."India will be playing an intra-squad match, starting from Friday, June 13. Morkel feels the conditions so far have suited the bowlers more. The bowling coach said his key advice to the bowlers will be to show character when the wicket goes a bit flat. "In the two-day practice so far, the conditions suited the fast bowlers. It was testing for the batters which also in a way helps them to prepare for what's to come," said Morkel. "There's been a lot of good banter between bat and ball but I think it's only because the wickets are a lit bit spicy. As soon as the wickets go flat, the bowlers tend to back off."advertisement"I'm going to tell them not to only talk when the wickets are nipping around but when its flat, that's where we're going to need the character at all times."India will face England in the first Test at Headingley, starting from June 20. Tune InMust Watch
