A video purportedly showing South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada smoking at the Gujarat Titans (GT) team hotel has gone viral across social media platforms, sparking considerable debate among cricket fans and commentators. The footage, which emerged on 22 April 2026, captures Rabada in an open area of the hotel premises, with teammate Rashid Khan also visible and seemingly engaging with the pacer about the incident. The video has quickly become a talking point, raising questions about athlete conduct and the public image of high-profile sports personalities during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Virat Kohli’s Ex-Girlfriend Izabelle Leite Reacts to ‘Taste in Women’ Post After German Influencer LizLaz Like.

Kagiso Rabada Seen Smoking

The widely circulated video, believed to have been filmed from an elevated balcony, depicts Rabada in Gujarat Titans training attire, holding what appears to be a cigarette. Several reports indicate that Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan spinner and Rabada's teammate, approached him, with his body language suggesting a conversation about the act. While the exact timing and full context of the video have not been officially confirmed by the Gujarat Titans franchise or Rabada himself, the incident is understood to have occurred following the team's recent match against Mumbai Indians.

While smoking a cigarette does not inherently violate any anti-doping regulations or professional codes of conduct in cricket, the optics of such an incident involving an elite athlete have drawn scrutiny. This event is further amplified by Rabada's disciplinary history; in 2025, the fast bowler received a provisional suspension after testing positive for cocaine metabolites during the SA20 league.

Although he successfully argued that the substance was consumed out of competition and completed a substance abuse treatment programme, the past controversy means even minor off-field incidents are now subject to intensified public discourse.

Social media reactions to the video have been divided. Some fans argue that it is a personal choice and should not be overanalysed, while others contend that professional athletes, as role models, have a responsibility to uphold certain standards both on and off the field. Rashid Khan Reveals He Turned Down Citizenship and Playing Offers from India and Australia.

Despite the off-field attention, Rabada has maintained solid on-field performances for the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026, having claimed 10 wickets in six matches and proving to be a vital component of their bowling attack.

As the video continues to circulate, neither Kagiso Rabada nor the Gujarat Titans management has issued an official statement regarding the incident. The situation underscores the constant public scrutiny faced by international athletes and the fine line between personal conduct and professional expectations, particularly in the age of pervasive social media.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 22, 2026 03:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).