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"Taking Drugs? It Stinks" Ex-Aussie Captain Calls Out Rabada For Hiding Doping Ban

Akshita Patel

Ex-Aussie Captain Calls Out Kagiso Rabada [Source: PTI, AFP]Ex-Aussie Captain Calls Out Kagiso Rabada [Source: PTI, AFP]

South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada admitted he had tested positive for a recreational drug earlier this year, which led to a temporary ban from cricket. That explained his absence in the recent IPL 2025 game between GT and MI, but Tim Paine isn’t happy with the way this incident was handled.

Rabada, the backbone of GT’s pace attack, was left out of the playing XI against MI, citing personal issues. However, in a statement issued later, the pacer admitted to having tested positive for a recreational drug.

Hence, to serve his ban, he flew back to his hometown in South Africa and is expected to rejoin the GT squad soon.

Tim Paine Slams Kagiso Rabada For Hiding Drug Ban 

Until now, fans were told Kagiso Rabada left the IPL due to “personal issues.” But Rabada revealed that he failed a drug test during the SA20 league in January. The news was kept secret for weeks, which didn’t sit well with many, including former Australia Test captain Tim Paine.

Speaking on SEN Radio, Paine strongly criticised the way the matter was handled. He argued that such incidents do not fall under personal issues and Rabada shouldn’t have tried to sweep the matter under the rug.

"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 who's tested for recreational drugs during a tournament in which he is playing, that doesn't fall under personal issues for me. That falls under you have broken your contract," Paine said.

"Taking drugs – recreational or performance enhancing – is not a personal issue that can just be hidden for a month. A guy can be taken out the IPL, moved back to South Africa and we just let it slide under the rug. Then we will bring him back once he's already served his ban," he added.

Under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules, using recreational drugs like cocaine, heroin, or cannabis usually results in a 3-month ban. But if the player proves it happened outside of competition and completes a rehab program, the ban can be reduced to one month. 

GT Coach Earlier Said Rabada Had Family Problems

Gujarat Titans’ assistant coach Ashish Kapoor previously said that Kagiso Rabada left IPL midway due to “personal reasons,” as he has issues related to family. And Kapoor also said that the pacer could be back in the second half of the tournament if his situation is resolved in time. However, the myth was busted when Rabada revealed the doping scandal on social media.