Kagiso Rabada is once again trending online, but this time the spotlight is on an off-field moment rather than his impact with the ball. The Gujarat Titans pacer has sparked fresh debate after footage surfaced showing him smoking on hotel property alongside members of the team’s staff, prompting arguments over whether the incident should even be treated as news.
What the footage reportedly shows
Reports say the clip was captured from a balcony at the Titans’ hotel and depicts Rabada smoking in an open area within the premises. While smoking a cigarette is not automatically a breach of cricket’s anti-doping framework or professional conduct rules, the circumstances have nevertheless drawn attention because of Rabada’s stature as an international player and public figure.
Why the optics have become a talking point
Even small off-field incidents can take on bigger meaning when a player is viewed as a role model, and Rabada’s case is complicated by what happened earlier in his career. Fans and critics are not only assessing the act itself, but also the context of his past disciplinary issue, which has left a lingering shadow over his public image.
Earlier disciplinary episode in 2025
The current controversy follows a significantly more serious episode that temporarily disrupted Rabada’s momentum in 2025. During the SA20 that year, he tested positive for cocaine metabolites, identified as benzoylecgonine, which resulted in a provisional suspension.
- Rabada was ruled out from April 1 to May 1, 2025.
- That layoff caused him to miss an important stretch of the IPL season.
- He ultimately avoided a longer ban after showing that the substance was taken out of competition.
- His cooperation with authorities and completion of a substance abuse treatment programme were key to resolving the matter.
Social media reaction and Rabada’s IPL form
Online reactions to the smoking incident are clearly split. Some supporters argue it is a personal decision and should not be dissected excessively, while others maintain that top-tier athletes should consistently project a higher standard in public, both on the field and away from it.
Despite the noise around him, Rabada’s bowling has continued to be viewed as steady. For Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026, he has already taken 10 wickets in six matches, reinforcing his role as an important part of the team’s pace and wicket-taking options.
