Kagiso Rabada is all set to rejoin Gujarat Titans in the IPL. He had served a one-month suspension after testing positive for a recreational drug. According to Vikram Solanki, the team’s Director of Cricket, all procedures were “followed to the letter.”
Earlier this year, Rabada was playing for MI Cape Town in the SA20 league. During that time, he failed a drug test. Authorities informed him about the result on April 1. Two days later, Gujarat Titans announced that he had gone back home for “personal reasons.”
Later, the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) confirmed that Rabada had completed a “substance abuse treatment program.” Therefore, he is now allowed to take part in the IPL again.
Solanki Confirms Rabada’s Availability
On Monday, Solanki spoke to the media at Wankhede Stadium during a Gujarat Titans training session. He said, “With Kagiso, as far as tomorrow’s (Tuesday) match is concerned, the fact is he is now available, given all of the decisions that have been taken and whatever has transpired over the past month or so.”
Moreover, he added, “Kagiso has expressed regret at an error in judgement. He’s made a telling statement.”
Rabada Ready to Play Again
Now that Rabada has resumed practice, the team feels positive about his return. Solanki said, “He has expressed regret, as I said, but is very much looking forward to getting back to playing the game he loves. He will take his sort of lessons from this and we’re just looking forward to having him back at practice.”
Importantly, Solanki confirmed that every rule was followed. “As far as procedure and protocol is concerned, everybody that’s been involved in this episode, right from Kagiso, his representatives, all matters as far as requirements have been followed to the letter,” he stated.
Team Stands by Rabada
Furthermore, Solanki said the team considered Rabada’s emotional condition. “He’s now back, having served the time, (a) suspension for 30 days and what we’re looking for now is for him to just be back doing what he loves, and for him to be doing stuff that we appreciate him doing and that is to be part of the cricket team.”
However, he admitted such situations can distract players. Yet, Rabada made it clear he wants the team to stay focused. Solanki explained, “It is easy to get distracted and one of the things he’s (Rabada) made very clear is that he doesn’t want this episode to distract anybody.”
He also said, “As far as the team is concerned, he spoke very eloquently about the fact that this is something he’s dealing with. It’s not a matter as far as the team is concerned. The team will of course support it.”
Franchise Focuses on Support
Additionally, Solanki highlighted the importance of supporting players. “It’s our job to support the players we have, whether it be on a matter of form or it be on personal matters like this,” he said.
He further shared how Rabada now values the game more. “He’s spent some time understanding how much he actually loves playing this game and the message certainly in the conversations I’ve had with him is that he doesn’t want to take playing this game he loves for granted.”
Solanki Defends One-Month Suspension
When a reporter asked whether a one-month ban was enough, Solanki strongly disagreed. He said, “The procedure is not laid out by any individual. The procedure is in place regardless of any individual or any certain circumstances.”
He added, “Circumstances were such that this was deemed the appropriate. We don’t have any sort of control of that. It is the authorities that have control of the sanctions and what exactly the procedure must be.”
In conclusion, Solanki said the rules must apply equally to everyone. “There is a set of rules and the rules are in place for a reason. If the rules are in place for a reason, they apply to one person as much as they apply to the next and if the findings are such that it has been deemed appropriate for him to serve a one-month sentence, then that is the right thing to do.”
