‘I am deeply sorry’: South African bowler Kagiso Rabada suspended for recreational drug use

South African bowler Kagiso Rabada is at risk of missing next month’s World Test Championship final against Australia after testing positive for a banned substance.

On Saturday, the 29-year-old confirmed he was serving a provisional suspension after “returning an adverse analytical finding for the use of a recreation drug”.

The revelation comes after Rabada prematurely left the Indian Premier League and returned home to South Africa due to “personal reasons”.

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“I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down,” Rabada said in a statement via the South African Cricketers’ Association.

“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.”

South Africa's Kagiso Rabada. Photo by Asif HASSAN / AFP Source: AFP

According to ESPNcricinfo, Rabada’s transgression occurred during the recent SA20 competition, with the publication also reporting the subtance was not a performance-enhancing drug.

Since making his Test debut in 2015, Rabada has taken 327 wickets at 22.00, including 16 five-wicket hauls — only four South Africans boast more Test scalps.

The right-armed quick was expected to lead South Africa’s bowling attack at the upcoming World Test Championship final at Lord’s, which gets underway on June 11.

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