Top News

New Delhi: Gujarat Titans star pacer Kagiso Rabada found himself in the middle of a big controversy as he was spotted smoking in hotel premises during the Indian Premier League 2026. The video, which went viral on social media and had varied reactions, showed the South African fast bowler sitting on a chair in a balcony and smoking a cigarette.

The video was captured by some unknown person from above the floor and put on social media, where it did not take enough time to get viral. In the video, some Gujarat Titans’ players including star Afghanistan cricketer Rashid Khan were also spotted in the viral video and it seemed like they were trying to stop him from smoking.

As per the rulebook, smoking does not breach any cricketing or anti-doping rules but still the incident sparked criticism form the fans on social media.

The incident has brought back memories of his 2025 cocaine controversy, where he was provisionally suspended for testing positive for a banned recreational drug. It happened during the 2025 SA20 league when the Proteas pacer has tested positive for benzoylecgonine.

KAGISO RABADA WAS SMOKING 🚬 🤯

– Kagiso Rabada was smoking & got got caught in camera. After seeing this Rashid Khan and GT’s players not happy with Rabada’s behaviour. Rashid Khan & staffs came and asked him, “What is this?” pic.twitter.com/zSYuzwygAb

— Cricket Central (@CricketCentrl)

Representing the Gujarat Titans (GT), Rabada has claimed 10 wickets from six games at an average of 22.40. He has been an integral part of the Titans’ pace attack. The users on social media are having a mixed reaction with some terming it as his personal choice while the others believing that an international athlete should maintain some standards.

As far as the Titans is concerned, they have played a total of six matches in this season winning three of it and losing as many.