South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada last month revealed that he faced a one-month ban for testing positive for a recrational drug during SAT20 League. He left the Gujarat Titans (GT) camp midway through the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Questions were raised over Rabada's one-month drug ban. While former Australia Test captain Tim Paine wanted a stricter punishment for Rabada, current Australian skipper Pat Cummins were asked whether they will sledge the Proteas pacer over his drug ban in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final.
“It’s not really our style," Cummins told The Guardian when asked about whether Australians will sledge the lethal pacer. “I’d be surprised if that came up."
Cummins and Rabada have been teammates as well. They have played for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the IPL together.
What Paine said about Rabada's one-month ban
Paine was not happy with Rabada leaving the IPL 2025 midway due to 'personal issues'.
"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 had told 'SEN Radio' last month.
"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.
Paine bashed for Rabada criticism
South Africa Cricketers' Association (SACA) chief Andrew Breetzke responded to the criticism directed towards Rabada from Australia.
“The criticism that’s coming from Australia is somewhat naive and lacks understanding of how doping processes are managed,” Breetzke told South African outlet Sportsboom.
"Effectively, he [Rabada] was notified on the first of April of the positive test, and we consulted with him on the 1st of April for the first time. In accordance with the SAIDS and WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) rules, there is a clear process that follows out of that, and we started that process immediately with him flying back to South Africa, getting the legal team together, the medical experts together and started the process relative to the rules."
Rabada's Test record against Australia
Rabada has played 10 Tests against Australia and taken 49 wickets at an average of 23.08, including three five-wicket hauls. If he takes five wickets in the final, he will become South Africa's fourth-highest wicket-taker in the format against Australia.