Rabada insisted he would ‘never condone’ his actions, but he wouldn’t allow the career hiccup to hang over him.
Kagiso Rabada says he has ‘moved on’ from his recent ban and is ready to lead the Proteas bowling attack in the World Test Championship final against Australia in London.
Rabada returned home from the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament last month, citing a ‘personal matter’, and it was later revealed he had tested positive for cocaine, which is one of four recreational drugs on the list of substances prohibited by anti-doping bodies.
As he had done in a statement last month, Rabada apologised again and insisted he would ‘never condone’ his actions, but he said he wouldn’t allow the career hiccup to hang over him.
“I’m deeply sorry and the people who were closest to me were the ones who I felt I let down,” Rabada said ahead of the SA team’s departure for the UK on Friday night.
“But in saying that, life moves on. I’m not going to be ‘Mr I Apologise’ too much. I don’t think I have to be.”
All about the game
After being cleared to play, following a one-month suspension, Rabada turned out for Gujarat Titans in two IPL matches last week.
And though he wasn’t at his best, he said he was eager to return to the field as South Africa geared up for battle against Australia for the global Test title.
“It’s always been about the cricket. Unfortunately as athletes we are always going to be in the public eye, so a lot of things are going to be known about us that won’t be the same for someone who is not in the public eye,” he said.
“But it’s the territory that we’re in and moving into the World Test Championship the focus is really simple. It’s about going there to perform.”
‘I can still play the game of cricket’
Though he thanked the SA Cricketers Association and Cricket SA for the way they handled the matter, as well as his Proteas teammates for sticking by his side, 30-year-old Rabada acknowledged the controversy around his ban.
However, he felt he could focus on the task ahead, playing what could be a key role for the Proteas in the Test final.
“As a player and as a man, people will have their different opinions about it, and I can live with that,” Rabada said.
“There will be people who will be there for you and people who are against you, and I can live with that. That’s fine.
“But I know I can still play the game of cricket and nothing changes. I’m going to keep playing for the country, keep doing my best and live with whatever comes my way.”
