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Former Australia captain Tim Paine has questioned the lack of clarity around South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada's failed drug Test which led to him leaving for home during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Paine feels that it is not a personal issue and Rabada broke the contract which warrants for a full disclosure.
"It stinks. I don't like this use around personal issues, and it being used to hide stuff that isn't a personal issue," Paine told 'SEN Radio' on May 5.
"If you have a professional sportsman that's tested for recreational drugs during a tournament in which he is playing, that doesn't fall under personal issues for me.
"That falls under you have broken your contract. That is not a personal issue, that is something that is happening in your personal life," he added.
The Gujarat Titans (GT) pacer 's positive test was recorded during SA20 League 2025 in January when he was representing MI Cape Town. He took 12 wickets from nine games during the competition at an average of 15.33, his best performance in SA20 career.
"Taking drugs - recreational or performance enhancing - is not a personal issue that can just be hidden for a month. A guy can be taken out of the IPL, moved back to South Africa and we just let it slide under the rug. Then we will bring him back once he's already served his ban," Paine said.
Paine also pointed out that he won't just be eligible to play for the remainder of the IPL 2025 but the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final against Australia as well. He feels that the 29-year-old pacer should be held accountable.
"Not only will play against Australia in the World Test Championship but he's available to be playing now in the IPL. No one knew about what he's taken, what he was given or who the organising body was that oversaw it.
"If he is going to take drugs and be caught doing it I think people deserve to know what he's taken, how long he is being rubbed out for and who sanctioned it. People need to be held to account for stuff like that," the former wicketkeeper-batter further added.
Stance of World and South Africa's Anti-Doping bodies
As per the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), an athlete can be banned from three months to four years for using a recreational drug. An athlete serves a three-month ban only if he can prove that the usage was not done with the motive to enhance performance and during off-season. Even if South African Anti-Doping body sees the athlete participate in their treatment program, the ban is reduced to two months. However, if it is proved that the recreational drug was taken during competition, it will lead to a two-year ban from the South African body.
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