Kagiso Rabada has come under the scanner after the Gujarat Titans pacer was caught smoking inside the team hotel, a video of which went viral on social media. In what appears to be an overhead shot, the South African international is sitting in the open with a cigarette in his left hand. The video also shows several members of the Gujarat Titans support staff and one has an animated conversation.
Smoking tobacco is not illegal in India as long as it is smoked in designated areas. However, it all depends on the professional athlete, due to the need to maintain overall fitness. This is not the first time a cricketer has been caught smoking in public. A few days ago, Punjab Kings spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was caught smoking and throwing a lit cigarette while driving. That video also went viral.
However, neither the Gujarat Titans nor the IPL Board of Governors have received any official communication about the Rabada incident.
Will Kagiso Rabada face punishment for smoking?
There is no mention of smoking cigarettes as a violation of the WADA or BCCI anti-doping codes. Tobacco is legal in India and, unlike performance-enhancing drugs, does not attract any disciplinary action.
According to the IPL Code of Conduct, it primarily focuses on player behavior on the field (such as dissent, abuse and slow re-evaluation) and the integrity of the game, such as match-fixing. It should be noted that there is no specific rule in the IPL Code of Conduct that prohibits smoking in private or semi-private areas of the team hotel.
As far as punishment is concerned, Rabada is unlikely to receive any sort of punishment from the BCCI or the IPL Governing Council. Even if there is any punishment, it will most likely be internal from the franchise bosses and support staff. All franchises are believed to have their own player manuals regarding public conduct.
In this case, Rabada may be given a warning internally by the Gujarat Titans management to avoid such cases coming to public in future as it will impact the brand image.
Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026
The 2022 champions, Gujarat Titans, are placed sixth with just three wins. The Shubman Gill-led side started with two consecutive losses against Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals but bounced back with three consecutive wins. Gujarat Titans’ last defeat came at the hands of Mumbai Indians by 99 runs. As for Rabada, the Proteas pacer is seventh in the IPL 2026 Purple Cap list with 10 wickets in six games so far.
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