Cricket fans were met with unexpected news on Thursday as South African pace sensation Kagiso Rabada departed the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mid-season. The Gujarat Titans, the franchise Rabada was representing, confirmed that the bowler has returned to South Africa to attend to an urgent personal matter. This development has left the team and its supporters speculating about the impact of his absence on their campaign in the high-stakes tournament.

Official statement from Gujarat Titans

The Gujarat Titans wasted no time in addressing Rabada’s departure, releasing an official statement on the matter. “Kagiso Rabada has returned to South Africa to deal with an important personal matter,” the statement read. While the franchise refrained from disclosing specific details about the nature of the personal issue—respecting Rabada’s privacy—it underscored the seriousness of the situation that prompted his exit. The team expressed their support for the 29-year-old cricketer during this time, though no timeline was provided for his potential return to the IPL.

Kagiso Rabada’s performance in IPL 2025 so far

Rabada, known for his fiery pace and pinpoint accuracy, had featured in two matches for the Gujarat Titans in the 2025 season before his departure. His contributions, while not earth-shattering, were part of the team’s bowling strategy. In his first outing against Punjab KingsRabada claimed 1 wicket for 41 runs in his four-over spell. His second match, against Mumbai Indianssaw a similar return—1 wicket for 42 runs. While these figures might not reflect his full potential, Rabada’s presence in the lineup provided stability and experience to the Titans’ pace attack.

His absence was notably felt in the Titans’ clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 2, 2025, a day before the official announcement. Young pacer Arshad khan stepped into Rabada’s shoes for the game, signaling that the team had been aware of his unavailability prior to the public disclosure.

Impact on Gujarat Titans’ campaign

Rabada’s exit poses a challenge for the Gujarat Titans, who are in the thick of the IPL 2025 season. The team, led by a mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents, relies heavily on its bowling unit to contain opposition batting lineups in the fast-paced T20 format. Losing a bowler of Rabada’s caliber—someone with a proven track record in international cricket and previous IPL seasons—could disrupt their plans, especially in crunch matches.

The Titans will now look to their bench strength to fill the void. Arshad’s inclusion in the RCB game might hint at the team’s immediate contingency plan, but whether he or another replacement can match Rabada’s intensity remains to be seen. The franchise may also explore options within the squad or even the possibility of a replacement player, depending on how long Rabada is expected to be away.