Follow UsDespite being cleared to play, Gujarat Titans (GT) didn’t include Kagiso Rabada in their playing XI for Match 56 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium on May 6 (Tuesday).
The South African paceman had returned home from the IPL 2025, citing personal reasons. A couple of weeks later, Rabada confirmed that he is serving a provisional ban for using recreational drugs. The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) confirmed that Rabada was tested during the SA20 in January, and the positive test result was conveyed to him on April 1.
Rabada returned to South Africa and participated in a substance abuse treatment program. The 29-year-old has joined the GT set-up, but skipper Shubman Gill said he will need a couple of training sessions to be match-ready.
“Rabada is back (in the squad), but he will need a few practice sessions and a few games to get back in his groove,” said Gill, who also confirmed that left-arm seamer Arshad Khan has been included in the XI in place of Washington Sundar.
It was GT who won the toss and decided to bowl first against MI. The Titans have won seven of their 10 encounters, while MI have also won the same number of games but have played 11 fixtures.