Kagiso Rabada cleared to return to action after one-month suspension

Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been cleared to return to competition after serving an anti-doping ban, the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) confirmed on Monday.

After testing positive for a recreational drug during the SA20 competition in February, Rabada returned home from the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament in early April, having received a one-month suspension.

In a statement released on Monday, SAIDS revealed that Rabada was now allowed to return to action for the Gujarat Titans in the ongoing IPL tournament.

He would also be available for the Proteas in the World Test Championship final against Australia in London next month.

“The player accepted responsibility for the doping offence and honoured his provisional suspension,” SAIDS confirmed.

“As per the South African anti-doping rules, specifically pertaining to a substance of abuse, the player was offered an opportunity to complete a substance abuse treatment program.

“After Mr Rabada satisfactorily completed two sessions of his treatment program, his provisional suspension ended.

“The player has effectively served a one-month period of ineligibility and may now resume participation in sport.”

‘I am deeply sorry’

Rabada apologised last week after it was revealed that he had been suspended from competitive cricket.

“I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down,” he said in a statement.

“I will never take the privilege of playing cricket for granted. This privilege is much larger than me. It goes beyond my personal aspirations.

“I am serving a provisional suspension and I am looking forward to returning to the game I love playing.”

When will he play again?

Though it was unclear when Rabada would return to action for the Gujarat Titans, he was cleared to play in their IPL match against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday.

India Today reported at the weekend that Rabada had already returned to India, and it seemed he would be available for selection.

Rabada had played only two matches for the Titans before he returned home earlier this month, claiming his absence was due to “personal reasons”.

In his two games during this season’s IPL, he had taken two wickets at an average of 41.50 and a strike rate of 10.37.