IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans Bowler Kagiso Rabada Returns Home for Personal Matters

Synopsis

Gujarat Titans' Kagiso Rabada has returned to South Africa for personal reasons during IPL 2025. He played two matches with mixed results before missing a game due to these issues. The franchise has not provided a return date. Rabada's past performances include a stellar 2020 season where he won the Purple Cap.

Key Takeaways

Kagiso Rabada returned home for personal reasons.
He has played two matches in IPL 2025 with disappointing figures.
Gujarat Titans did not confirm his return timeline.
Rabada was a key player in the 2022 championship win.
GT has strong bowling alternatives while he is away.

New Delhi, April 3 (NationPress) Gujarat Titans fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has departed for his home in South Africa during the current season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to personal matters.

Rabada participated in the first two matches for the franchise in IPL 2025, returning with costly figures of 1-41 and 1-42 in the team's encounters against Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

He missed GT’s eight-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru due to personal issues. “Kagiso Rabada has gone back to South Africa to address an important personal matter,” stated a release from Gujarat Titans on Thursday.

The franchise did not specify when Rabada would return from South Africa and rejoin the team for IPL 2025. The GT, champions in 2022, secured Rabada’s services for Rs 10.75 crore in last year's mega auction before the current IPL season.

Over 82 IPL matches, Rabada has taken 119 wickets at an average of 22.29 and an economy rate of 8.53. His previous IPL tenures included stints with Delhi Capitals (2017-2021) and Punjab Kings (2022-2024). His best IPL season was in 2020, where he achieved 30 wickets in 17 matches, winning the Purple Cap and aiding DC in reaching their first-ever IPL final, where they were runners-up.

GT’s other fast bowling alternatives feature Mohammed Siraj, who recorded 3-19 in Wednesday’s victory over RCB, along with Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Kulwant Khejroliya, and all-rounder Arshad Khan.

As for overseas options, GT has Gerald Coetzee, who is also a teammate of Rabada in the South African national team. Following two consecutive wins, GT will next face the IPL 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday.