Cocaine confirmed as the recreational drug in Kagiso Rabada’s system that led to the pacer’s suspension for a month.
The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) has confirmed that the recreational substance that led to South Africa seamer Kagiso Rabada’s one-month cricket suspension is cocaine. A month following the expiration of the appeal process for athletes who have been sanctioned, the organisation, which is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), releases the results of adverse drug tests.
Today, June 3, SAIDS released its findings, confirming that Rabada’s results contained the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine. After using cocaine, benzoylecgonine is produced in the liver and eliminated through urine.
During the SA20 on January 21, Rabada was put to the test. Before his results were revealed, he participated in the full competition, played for MI Cape Town, and represented South Africa at the Champions Trophy. Although his absence from the competition was attributed to personal reasons, he missed a large portion of the IPL after receiving word of his positive test in late March and serving a one-month ban from April 1 to May 1.
Rabada’s commitment to an educational program, the fact that the drug was recreational rather than performance-enhancing, and the fact that he consumed it on a non-match day—which is referred to as out of competition—all influenced how long his suspension would last. His ban was lowered to one month as a result. The one-month ban was not appealed by Rabada.
Rabada acknowledged using a recreational substance in a statement released on May 3 by the South African Cricketers Association, but he gave no other information. He returned to the IPL after serving his suspension by then, playing two games for the Gujarat Titans.
In addition, Rabada expects criticism from Australia, whose former captain Tim Paine has previously attacked the secrecy surrounding Rabada’s early April return to South Africa from the IPL. Rabada said he was prepared to face anything they threw at him. “They attack you, and I believe that’s what makes me feel the worst. They’ve been known for that for years, don’t they? Alright, let’s see.