IPL 2025: Why doesn’t Kagiso Rabada play against Mi? Captain of Gujarat Titans Shubman Gill reveals
In a significant development before the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 confront Gujarat titans And Mumbai Indians May 6, South African stimulator Kagiso RabadaWho recently returned to India after serving a temporary suspension of a month, does not appear in game XI for this crucial meeting.
Reason behind the absence of Kagiso Rabada: Shubman Gill answers
This decision raised the eyebrows, taking into account the high issues involved in the match, where the two teams had the opportunity to climb at the top of the point table. When asked the draw for the absence of a quick star bowling player during the draw, the Gujarat skipper Shubman gill revealed that even if Rabada had joined the team, he needed more time to find his pace. “Rabada is back (in the team), but he will need some training sessions and a few games to return to his groove,” Gill clarified to the commentator Ian Bishop.
The absence of Rabada of the IPL was initially wrapped in ambiguity, the Gujarat citing personal reasons for its sudden withdrawal. However, it was then revealed that the 29 years old had been tested positive for a recreational medicationleading to a provisional suspension that started in early April.
The doping test was carried out on January 21 during a SA20 2025 match Mi Cape Town and the Super giants of DurbanBut Rabada was only informed of the unfavorable conclusion on April 1, when he was already in India to prepare for the IPL. Rabada presented public apology shortly after the revelation, taking responsibility for the violation and expressing remorse for the disruption caused to his team and the fans before the entry into force of the suspension, Kagiso Rabada had only presented two games for Gujarat in IPL 2025, picking up two counters.
Read also: IPL 2025: Gujarat titans give out the air on Kagiso Rabada Testing positive for recreational medication
A vital competition between Mi and GT with the implications in the IPL 2025 elimination series
Mi and GT are sitting at 14 points on the table and looking at the first two places in the playoffs. Mi, after a difficult departure which saw them lose four of their first five games, had remarkably overturned things with six consecutive victories, climbing in the third place. Gujarat, meanwhile, had maintained a coherent form throughout the season, retaining fourth place with an equal number of points. A victory for each side would not only guarantee a place in the playoff series, but also a potential finish of the top-Two, which offers a second chance in the direct elimination phase. In their previous confrontation this season, GT had convincingly beaten by 36 points, giving them a psychological advantage in the revenge match.
In the game, the Titans won the draw and chose to play the first in a high pressure location, a decision aligned with their successful strategy of previous matches. A change has been brought to the Xi Playing, with Arshad Khan come for Washington SundarProbably as a tactical adjustment for height conditions or matches. The Mumbai, on the other hand, has chosen to stick to their winning combination, unchanged in the shock.
Read also: IPL 2025 – Tim Paine is unleashed at Kagiso Rabada on the doping suspension
