Tamil Nadu sprinter Dhanalakshmi after a second doping violation and the provisional suspension of Uttarakhand cricketer Rajan Kumar after testing positive for banned substances  two high-profile anti-doping cases shaking Indian sport.

Sprinter Dhanalakshmi Slapped With Eight-Year Ban After Second Doping Offence

Tamil Nadu sprinter S. Dhanalakshmi (also shown as Dhanalakshmi Sekar) has been banned from competition for eight years one of the toughest penalties imposed by Indian anti-doping authorities in recent times  for a second anti-doping rule violation.

The ban is effective from 9 September 2025 and comes after her sample tested positive for a prohibited anabolic steroid. (Firstpost)

Dhanalakshmi, 27, first came under scrutiny in 2022, when she tested positive for the anabolic steroid Metandienone during an out-of-competition test.

At that time, she received a three-year suspension, which kept her out of competition through much of 2022–2024 and ruled her out of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

After serving this suspension, she returned to competitive action in 2025. (DT Next)

However, in a test conducted during the India Open Athletics Meet in Sangrur, Punjab, in July 2025, Dhanalakshmi’s sample again returned an adverse finding.

This time the banned substance was Drostanolone, another anabolic steroid that enhances strength and performance.

Because it was her second violation of anti-doping rules, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) opted to impose the maximum penalty permissible under Indian and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations an eight-year ban. (Firstpost)

Why the Ban Matters

Dhanalakshmi had rapidly emerged as one of India’s premier sprint talents. She has posted some of the country’s fastest times in the 100m and 200m events, and her successes raised hopes that she could be part of India’s elite contingent ahead of major competitions. Her personal bests  including an 11.06-second 100m clocking in 2025  positioned her among the nation’s top sprinters. (The Tribune)

But her return from the first doping ban and subsequent positive test have dealt a significant blow to her career  effectively ruling her out of competition through her prime athletic years.

An eight-year ban means she is ineligible to compete in any event sanctioned by WADA-signatory bodies, which includes virtually all major national and international competitions.

Anti-doping experts highlight that repeat violations are treated severely to preserve sport integrity and deter athletes from using performance-enhancing substances.

WADA’s code is designed to provide escalating penalties for second and third offences, often including lengthy suspensions or even lifetime bans in the most severe cases.

Her case also underscores ongoing challenges in Indian athletics, where doping violations have drawn criticism from sports administrators, athletes, and commentators alike.

In recent years, multiple Indian athletes across sports have been named in NADA’s lists of adverse findings, prompting concerns about awareness, enforcement, and athlete education.

Uttarakhand Cricketer Rajan Kumar Provisional Suspension After Rare Doping Test Failure

In an equally unusual development  particularly for cricket  Uttarakhand left-arm pacer Rajan Kumar has been provisionally suspended by NADA after failing a doping test.

The case has drawn attention because instances of cricketers testing positive are rare in India’s domestic game. (Firstpost)

Positive Test and Substances Found

Rajan Kumar, 29, failed his doping test after providing a sample that was found to contain multiple prohibited substances:

• Drostanolone – an anabolic steroid known for boosting muscle growth and performance.

• Metenolone – another anabolic steroid often used for similar purposes.

• Clomifene – a medication primarily used for treating female infertility but known to assist in restoring testosterone levels in men, thus providing indirect performance enhancement. (The Tribune)

His last recorded match was in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Group D fixture against Delhi in Ahmedabad on 8 December 2025.

NADA’s action came after this competition, and the player is now on provisional suspension pending further proceedings, which could include a hearing, B-sample test, and formal sanctions if the violation is confirmed. (The Tribune)

Why It’s Considered Rare

Doping cases in cricket at the domestic level are uncommon.

In India’s professional cricket history, only a few players have been caught violating anti-doping rules. Notable past cases include:

• Prithvi Shaw (2019) – who faced an eight-month ban after testing positive for a substance found in a cough syrup.

• Anshula Rao (2020) – a domestic player who also faced disciplinary action. (The Tribune)

Against that backdrop, Rajan’s case stands out as a rare and significant incident in the sport.

Broader Anti-Doping Context in Indian Sport

These two cases come from a larger National Anti-Doping Agency crackdown on athletes across disciplines. In its latest update, NADA listed several athletes  including footballer Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi and competitors in athletics, weightlifting, boxing, and polo  whose samples returned adverse findings for various prohibited substances. (The New Indian Express)

The recurring theme whether in track and field, team sports, or cricket highlights persistent challenges in ensuring clean sport. NADA officials have stressed that athletes must take responsibility for their intake, verify supplements, and stay updated on the WADA prohibited list, which changes annually.

Awareness programs and testing protocols are being expanded, but critics argue more must be done at grassroots and elite levels to curb doping in Indian sport.

At the policy level, lengthy bans  such as the eight-year penalty faced by Dhanalakshmi  are intended to deter repeat violations and send a clear signal about the consequences of breaching anti-doping rules. For Rajan Kumar, the process is still unfolding, but the provisional suspension marks a serious juncture in his professional career.

What Happens Next

For Dhanalakshmi

• She will remain banned from effective competition until 2033, unless her ban is successfully appealed or reduced by an arbitration body such as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

For Rajan Kumar

• He awaits confirmation of his B-sample and a formal hearing.

• If found guilty of an anti-doping rule violation, sanctions could include a multi-year ban depending on mitigating or aggravating circumstances.

These developments have stirred discussion across Indian sports circles, amplifying calls for stricter anti-doping education, enhanced testing, and tougher enforcement to safeguard fair competition and athletes’ well-being. (Firstpost)