Here is why Kagiso Rabada Isn’t Playing Today’s IPL 2025 Match 19 Against SRH

Why Kagiso Rabada Isn’t Playing Today's IPL Match 19 Against SRH

The Gujarat Titans have made headlines after leaving out star fast bowler Kagiso Rabada from their playing XI for the crucial IPL 2025 encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The decision raised plenty of eyebrows among fans and analysts, especially since the Proteas pacer also missed their previous outing against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Speculation began swirling on social media minutes after the official team sheet was released, with supporters questioning his sudden omission.

Shubman Gill, the GT captain, did not offer any clarification during the toss regarding Rabada’s unavailability. The silence only deepened the mystery. Many believed the bowler might be nursing a niggle or being rotated as part of workload management. However, neither the team management nor the league’s official broadcasters shared any official reason at first.

Rabada Flies Back Home

Later in the evening, it was revealed that Kagiso Rabada has flown back to South Africa. He had earlier missed the game against RCB due to personal reasons. Now, with his departure confirmed, Gujarat will need to manage without him for an indefinite period. The franchise has not announced a timeline for his return, leaving his availability for future matches uncertain.

Rabada’s absence could impact the Titans’ plans significantly. The South African quick has been a high-profile signing for GT, having joined the franchise for a staggering INR 10.75 crore. While his 2025 season hasn’t seen him at his best yet, with just 2 wickets from 2 matches, he remains a game-changer with the ball.

GT Bowlers Step Up in Rabada’s Absence

In the previous match against RCB, India pacer Mohammed Siraj stepped up and delivered a match-winning performance, claiming 3/19 in four overs. His spell helped Gujarat dominate despite Rabada’s absence. The team will now rely more heavily on Indian bowlers like Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Arshad Khan, and Ishant Sharma in the coming games.

However, Rabada’s international experience and ability to deliver under pressure make him a key figure in GT’s bowling lineup. His best IPL season came in 2020 when he took 30 wickets and won the Purple Cap. Last season, he claimed 11 wickets in 11 games for Punjab Kings.

GT Faces Uncertainty Ahead

Gujarat Titans are yet to provide an official update regarding Rabada’s return. The uncertainty adds to the pressure on the squad, especially with a packed schedule ahead. Fans will hope for positive news in the coming days, while GT looks to keep its winning momentum going without their star pacer.

For now, the Titans will need to adapt quickly and hope that their Indian bowling unit can maintain the same intensity.