Kagiso Rabada cleared to play in World Test Championship final after provisional suspension

Proteas’ bowler Kagiso Rabada has been cleared to return to action, and will be eligible for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia next month.

The 29-year-old seamer dropped a bombshell on Saturday when he revealed he had been serving a provisional suspension after testing positive for a banned substance – a non-specified recreational drug.

However, IOL Sport reported on Monday morning that Rabada had since returned to India and was free to play for Gujarat Titans in the IPL.

On Monday afternoon, the South African Institute for Drug Free Sports (SAIDS) issued a statement confirming that Rabada had failed a drugs test on January 21 during the SA20. The player was informed of the results on April 1, and left his IPL franchise two days later to return to South Africa.

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According to an ESPN report, SAIDS was happy to close the matter after Rabada participated in an education and awareness programme to prevent further substance abuse.

In his statement on Saturday, Rabada said: “I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down. 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.

“I couldn’t have gone through this alone. I’d like to thank my agent, CSA, and Gujarat Titans for their support. I’d also like to thank SACA and my legal team for their guidance and counsel. 

“Most importantly I’d like to thank my friends and family for their understanding and love. Moving forward, this moment will not define me.

“I will keep doing what I have always done, continuously working hard and playing with passion and devotion to my craft.”

IOL Sport

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