Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma has said that people need to keep in mind that though Kagiso Rabada is one of the best cricketers in the world, he is also just a human who made a mistake.
Bavuma was asked about his thoughts on Rabada, as the fast bowler has just completed a one-month suspension for taking a prohibited recreational drug, which is believed to be cocaine.
Rabada took the drug out of competition and therefore received a more lenient sentence, as he was tested in January during the SA20.
The fast bowler found out about his adverse result from the test on April 1 during the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he was playing for the Gujarat Titans.
Kagiso Rabada Faces Backlash After Positive Drug Test, Bavuma Offers Support
The 29-year-old made the announcement at the time that he was returning to South Africa to attend to personal matters. Just days before he had served his full suspension, Rabada confirmed he had tested positive for a banned substance.
The backlash has been fierce, with many viewing Rabada in a completely different light. Former Aussie skipper Tim Paine, for example, said the way the situation was handled ‘stinks’ since Rabada did not reveal from the start he was dealing with a failed drugs test.
Bavuma, though, said he would be willing to support the leader of his attack every step of the way.
“Our friendship comes first, and I will be a captain later. We need to understand the human behind this, the biggest thing is the human, and we need to give him support,” Bavuma told SportsBoom.co.za.
“A lot of people who have their own skeletons in the closet have been pointing fingers. Yes, we are role-models, but we also have our own flaws. People shouldn’t be so quick to celebrate when we make mistakes.
“KG is a close friend and I have been supporting him as much as has been needed.”
Rabada’s Return: Bavuma Speaks on Support, Lessons, and WTC Final Readiness
When Rabada was informed of his failed test, he immediately flew back to South Africa to follow protocol set out by the SA Institute of Drug-Free Sports (SAIDS) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Bavuma said he had no concerns about welcoming back Rabada into the team ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) final, against Australia next month at Lord’s in London.
“From a captaincy point of view, I am happy with the [disciplinary] process and my focus is on the human being – making sure he gets the support he needs.
“My biggest concern is for him personally, that he can deal with this and make sure he comes out of it as a better person. International sport is a tough place to be, you are constantly under the microscope and it’s about how you can escape.”
Of course, Bavuma was quick to acknowledge that much of the talk heading into the WTC final will now be centred on Rabada.
Bavuma also likened it to the 2018 series with the Aussies in which Rabada was banned for two Tests for a seemingly innocuous shoulder nudge on then-skipper Steve Smith. Rabada had also picked up previous demerit points for an over-zealous celebration after dismissing Steve Warner during the series, and therefore the ICC had no option but to penalise the Proteas quick.
“KG has accepted he made a mistake, now it’s about understanding what role he played in it, why did he find himself in that situation? Is there something underlying?
“If so, then we must deal with that. We saw how controversial he was before in that Test series against Australia in South Africa in 2018. But we also know how that series ended [South Africa won 3-1].”
@Michael_Sherman
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