GT Players Caught Smoking Ahead of IPL Playoffs - Will They Be Banned?

Gujarat Titans are having a great time in IPL 2026. They ended the league stage at the second spot and have reached the qualifier 1 of the league, which will give them two shots to reach the final.

Gujarat Titans will be locking horns with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Qualifier 1 of the tournament. The match will be played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Tuesday, May 26.

Since the Titans had already reached the playoffs, they were seen spending a day off in Dharamsala on Sunday, May 24. The entire team including Kagiso Rabada and Jason Holder went to a local restaurant, and one picture from that moment has taken the internet by storm where some of the players were seen smoking.

Gujarat Titans Smoking Controversy Erupts Again

In a picture that has gone viral on the internet, Kagiso Rabada, one of the best bowlers in IPL, can be seen holding a joint in his hand while Jason Holder, who is sitting close to him, can be seen crushing something, although it is not clear. Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna and Jos Buttler are also present in this image.

Even Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill can be partially seen in this picture, however, he wasn't smoking. Gill has been in scintillating form this season and is a contender for the IPL Orange Cap as well.

This isn’t the first time Kagiso Rabada has been caught in a smoking controversy. Earlier, he was caught smoking in a hotel and the video of that incident went viral all over the internet. Kagiso Rabada smoking joint photo has gone viral and can land him into some trouble.

Rabada also faced a ban last year for the use of a banned substance. He missed about a month’s action in the league, and if his recent picture turns out to be true, his career might be in danger.

Will Gujarat Titans Be Banned For Smoking?

Since a no. of players were involved in the Gujarat Titans smoking controversy, it raises question marks about their participation in the IPL 2026 playoffs. After this controversy, Gujarat Titans ban is on the cards. GT had finished at the second position in the IPL points table and have been in excellent form this season.

It is possible that the BCCI might take some action against players like Rabada, who is clearly seen to be smoking here. Since this is not the first time that the South African quick is involved in such an incident, it might be a troublesome thing for him.

Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada has been in red-hot form in this season of Indian Premier League. He has been one of the major reasons why the Gujarat Titans have made it into Qualifier 1 of the tournament without any trouble.

Rabada is the joint-highest wicket-taker in the league with 24 wickets so far and is a prime contender for IPL Purple Cap this season. Especially in the powerplay, he has been sensational as he has taken 16 wickets in the first six overs of the match, which in itself says his impact with the new ball.

With the Dharamsala wicket offering help to pacers, he will hold the key for his team in Qualifier 1. If he has another good day, there are chances that he might take his team to the final with ease.