IPL 2025: Pace bowler Kagiso Rabada has left the Gujarat Titans (GT) squad and returned to South Africa owing to personal reasons.
In a release, GT officially stated that Rabada had departed to attend to an “important personal issue” but did not state when he would return.
Rabada had played GT’s first two matches of IPL 2025, claiming returns of 1 for 41 in their loss to Punjab Kings and 1 for 42 in their win over Mumbai Indians. But he was absent from GT’s third match versus Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, his unavailability cited as due to personal reasons.
In place of Rabada, GT brought in allrounder Arshad Khan, who made an impression by dismissing Virat Kohli. The side employed just three overseas players — Jos Buttler, Rashid Khan, and Sherfane Rutherford, who was used as an Impact Player during the run-chase. With the changes, GT won the match by eight wickets with 13 balls to spare.
GT also have some other international options available like New Zealand allrounder Glenn Phillips, yet to play a single match, and South African pacer Gerald Coetzee, who did not feature in the team as well and may not be absolutely fit.
GT is presently at fourth spot in the points table with two wins and one loss in their first three games. Their next game is away against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 6, followed by a home game against Rajasthan Royals on April 9.
