New Delhi: Gujarat Titans were dealt a huge blow on Thursday as premier fast bowler Kagiso Rabada returned home to South Africa in the middle of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season due to personal reasons. The Proteas pacer was absent from GT’s match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Wednesday at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The news of Rabada returning home was announced by his franchise Gujarat Titans.
The length of Rabada’s absence is not yet known, as the Titans didn’t give any clarity on his return date. The right-arm pacer returns home after playing two matches.
“Kagiso Rabada has returned to South Africa to deal with an important personal matter,” the Gujarat outfit said in a statement.
In his two appearances, Rabada has picked up two wickets while conceding 83 runs. He picked up 1 for 41 against his former team, Punjab Kings (PBKS) and snared 1 for 42 against Mumbai Indians (MI).
The 29-year-old fast bowler was not selected for the Gujarat Titans’ match against RCB on Wednesday, but there was no information about his return.
In his place, Arshad Khan was selected in the GT playing X1. The left-arm pacer repaid the faith of the team management and picked up the key wicket of Virat Kohli early in the innings.
Despite Rabada’s absence, Gujarat Titans comfortably defeated the Challengers by eight wickets in the first game of the season at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Jos Buttler made up for his mistakes with the wicket-keeping gloves and scored an explosive 73 off 39 balls, leading the Titans to a comprehensive win over Rajat Patidar’s side. With two wins in three matches, the Titans sit third in the table, one spot below the Challengers.
Rabada’s return could open the doors for his South African teammate Gerald Coetzee or Afghanistan all-rounder Karim Janat.
