Why is Kagiso Rabada not playing MI vs GT IPL 2025 game?

Mumbai Indians (MI) are taking on Gujarat Titans (GT) in a key IPL 2025 game at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday night. Kagiso Rabada had left IPL 2025 after playing a few matches and gone back home to South Africa. The 29-year-old pacer recently put out a statement where he revealed that he was serving a suspension. It was revealed that Rabada was suspended for use of a recreational drug in the SA20 tournament early this year. 

Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl first and made one change to his side. Former MI pacer Arshad Khan came into the side for Washington Sundar. Ian Bishop, who was conducting the toss duties, asked Gill about Rabada, to which the GT skipper said that the pacer would need a few more sessions to get back into the groove. 

Speaking about Rabada, the South African pacer had apologised for his action and put out a statement. “As has been reported, I recently returned to South Africa from participating in the IPL for personal reasons. This was due to my returning an adverse analytical finding for the use of a recreational drug. I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down. I will never take the privilege of playing cricket for granted. This privilege is much larger than me. It goes beyond my personal aspirations,” read the statement from the pacer. 

Chance to go top of the table for both teams 

It is a huge chance for both Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans to go top of the table. MI has played 11 games and currently is third in the table with 14 points. The Titans, on the other hand, have played a game less and are fourth with 14 points as well. A win for either side will see them go top of the table, as they have a better run rate than Royal Challengers Bengaluru. 

Gujarat Titans comfortably beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last game by 38 runs. The likes of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna have been doing wonders with the ball. The onus of batting will be on Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler, who have been scoring runs consistently for the Titans. 

For Mumbai, the focus will be yet again on the likes of Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah. As far as the international players are concerned, Ryan Rickelton and Trent Boult will play a huge role with the bat and ball. Corbin Bosch has managed to retain his place in the side with Mitchell Santner being benched for a third successive game.