South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada revealed on Saturday that he was serving a ban from cricket for recreational drug use.Rabada, 29, returned to South Africa last month “for personal reasons” after playing only two matches for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League.In a statement issued by the South African Cricketers’ Association, Rabada said his absence was due to “an adverse analytical finding for the use of a recreational drug” which he said resulted in him serving a provisional suspension.The statement did not specify the length of the suspension or when Rabada would play again but Rabada said: “I am looking forward to returning to the game I love playing.”Gujarat have four fixtures remaining in the league phase of the IPL, starting with a match against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday. The team is also well placed to qualify for the play-offs after winning seven of their 10 fixtures.Rabada is South Africa’s leading fast bowler. He has taken 327 wickets in 70 Tests and is expected to play a key role for South Africa in the World Test Championship final against Australia starting at Lord’s in London on June 11.He said in his statement: “I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down. I will never take the privilege of playing cricket for granted. This privilege is much larger than me. It goes beyond my personal aspirations.”He added: “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.”
