NOT A HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kagiso Rabada endured a challenging IPL 2025 season with Gujarat Titans, marked by a one-month ban and poor form, missing his 30th birthday match ahead of the Proteas’ World Test Championship final preparations. Picture: Sajjad Hussain/AFP
Image: Sajjad Hussain/AFP
It’s been by far the worst season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Kagiso Rabada, and that’s been more to do with events that have transpired off the cricket pitch.
Rabada played just four matches in the 2025 edition of the IPL for the Gujarat Titans (GT), and that’s due in large part to the much-publicised one-month ban the fast bowler served for taking a banned recreational drug (cocaine).
However, in March, Rabada had played both matches for GT before he began his suspension, during which he returned poor figures of 1/41 and 1/42.
Since he returned to the IPL on 18 May, Rabada played two more matches, conceding 0/34 in his first game from just two overs before returning in the following encounter with 0/45 from four overs.
Proteas Star Kagiso Rabada Misses GT Match Amid World Test Championship Preparations
Rabada was also not selected on Sunday for GT’s match against Chennai Super Kings, which also happened to be his 30th birthday
In his absence, fellow Proteas speedster Gerald Coetzee was selected in what was just his third match for GT this season.
Whether it was Rabada’s form or his international commitments behind his omission, is not clear.
Rabada, of course, is one of eight South Africans in action in the IPL who will be released early from the competition to prepare for the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s in London, starting on 11 June.
The Proteas, including Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Lungi Ngidi, Wiaan Mulder, Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch are said to be returning to South Africa on Tuesday.
The squad will then depart for England on Friday.