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IPL 2025: South Africa and Gujarat Titans fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been cleared to return to cricket after the provisional ban on the speedster for using a prohibited recreational drug was lifted as he completed a "substance abuse treatment program" during the suspension.

According to a statement from the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS), Rabada was tested following the SA20 match between MI Cape Town and Durban Super Giants on January 21. Later he tested positive for a "Substance of Abuse" and was informed of the result on April 1, following which a provisional suspension was imposed.

As per a statement from the SAIDS, Rabada, who has already linked up with the Gujarat Tians after serving his suspension, can now take the field. GT will take on Mumbai Indians in Mumbai on Tuesday.

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While the specific drug was not named in the statement, Article 4.2.3 of the SAIDS Code lists cocaine, heroin, MDMA/ecstasy, and THC among the substances of abuse.

The statement also referenced Article 10.2.4.1 of the SAIDS Code, which notes: "If the athlete can establish that any ingestion or use occurred out-of-competition and was unrelated to sport performance, then the period of ineligibility shall be three (3) months. This may be reduced to one (1) month if the athlete satisfactorily completes a substance abuse treatment program approved by SAIDS."

"As per the South African Anti-Doping Rules specifically pertaining to Substances of Abuse, the player was offered an opportunity to complete a substance abuse treatment program.

The 30-year-old was tested during the SA20 league in January and the lifting of suspension also makes him available for the World Test Championship final against Australia next month.

"After Rabada satisfactorily completed two sessions of his treatment program, his provisional suspension ended. The player has effectively served a one-month period of ineligibility and may now resume participation in sport," it added.

Cocaine, heroin, MDMA and cannabis fall in the category of 'Substances of Abuse' for which Rabada was sanctioned.

The abuse of such drugs can lead to a maximum of four-year ban but if a sportsperson can prove that the use occurred out-of-competition and is not related to performance enhancement, the suspension could be reduced to three months.

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The athlete's ban can be further brought down to two months if he/she is willing to undertake a treatment program that is approved by South African Anti-Doping body.

Rabada, who has played 241 international games for the Proteas across formats including 70 Tests, apologised for his actions.

"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," he had said.