IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans pacer Kagiso Rabada flies back home due to personal reasons

IANS April 3, 2025 357 views

Gujarat Titans fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has unexpectedly returned to South Africa during the ongoing IPL 2025 season due to personal reasons. The pacer had already played two matches for the team, with somewhat expensive bowling figures of 1-41 and 1-42 against Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians. The franchise has not specified when Rabada will return, leaving fans and team management in uncertainty. With strong bowling alternatives like Mohammed Siraj and Gerald Coetzee, Gujarat Titans remains competitive in the tournament.

"Kagiso Rabada has returned to South Africa to deal with an important personal matter" - Gujarat Titans Official Statement
IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans pacer Kagiso Rabada flies back home due to personal reasons
New Delhi, April 3: Gujarat Titans fast-bowler Kagiso Rabada has gone back home to South Africa from the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to some personal reasons.

Key Points

1

Rabada exits IPL after playing first two matches with expensive bowling figures

2

GT secured Rabada for Rs 10.75 crore in mega auction

3

Team has strong bowling lineup including Mohammed Siraj and Gerald Coetzee

4

Rabada's best IPL season was 2020 with 30 wickets

Rabada had played the first two matches of the franchise in IPL 2025, where he returned with expensive figures of 1-41 and 1-42 in the side’s matches against Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Rabada had missed GT’s eight-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru due to personal reasons. “Kagiso Rabada has returned to South Africa to deal with an important personal matter,” said a statement by Gujarat Titans on Thursday.

The franchise didn’t give a definitive timeline on when Rabada would be back from South Africa and link up with the franchise in IPL 2025. GT, the 2022 championship winners, had secured Rabada’s services for Rs 10.75 crore in last year’s mega auction ahead of the ongoing IPL season.

In 82 IPL matches, Rabada has picked 119 wickets at an average of 22.29 and an economy rate of 8.53. Rabada had previous IPL stints with Delhi Capitals (2017-2021) and Punjab Kings (2022-2024). The lethal pacer’s best-ever IPL season came in 2020 when he picked 30 wickets in 17 matches to win the Purple Cap and helped DC reach their first-ever IPL final, before finishing as runners-up.

GT’s other fast bowling options include Mohammed Siraj, who picked 3-19 in Wednesday’s win over RCB, as well as Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma, Gurnoor Singh Brar, and Kulwant Khejroliya, as well as all-rounder Arshad Khan.

In terms of overseas options, GT have Gerald Coetzee, Rabada’s team-mate from the South Africa national set-up. With two wins on the trot, GT will next face IPL 2016 winners Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Hope everything's okay with Rabada! Family always comes first. GT has decent backup options but he'll be missed - that raw pace is something else! 🙏
P
Priya M.
Not a great start to his GT career stats-wise, but we all know what Rabada can do when he finds his rhythm. Wishing him strength during whatever he's dealing with back home.
A
Ankit S.
Coetzee might get more chances now! Excited to see how he performs. But honestly, GT's bowling attack looks thin without Rabada's experience.
S
Sneha R.
Respect to GT for not disclosing details - players deserve privacy. Hope he comes back stronger! That 2020 season was 🔥
V
Vikram J.
For 10.75cr, GT would've expected more availability. But personal matters are unpredictable - can't blame the player. Siraj stepping up is a silver lining!
M
Meena P.
His economy rate was concerning in first two matches anyway. Maybe this break will help him reset and come back with better control. Get well soon KG! 💙

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
IPL 2025 Kagiso Rabada Gujarat Titans Cricket South African Cricket Indian Premier League
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