As the 2025 IPL resumes and cricketing bodies mull whether to send their players for the tournament, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has drawn a firm line on player availability, informing IPL franchises that eight of their marquee cricketers will leave India by May 25.
South Africa is due to play their first ICC World Test Championship Final, and most of their contingent will now miss the business end of the 2025 IPL season.
The move, made in accordance with initial No Objection Certificates (NOCs), is part of South Africa’s WTC Final preparations ahead of the clash with Australia at Lord’s from June 11 to 15. South Africa’s Test squad is expected to assemble in the UK on May 31 and will face Zimbabwe in a four-day warm-up fixture in Arundel starting June 3, the same day as the rescheduled IPL Final.
Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans), Lungi Ngidi (Royal Challengers Bangalore), Marco Jansen (Punjab Kings), Aiden Markram (Lucknow Super Giants), Tristan Stubbs (Delhi Capitals), Wiaan Mulder (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Ryan Rickelton, and Corbin Bosch (both Mumbai Indians) are all part of South Africa’s squad for the final and will miss the majority of the remaining IPL.
Franchises such as GT, PBKS, RCB, and MI are in contention for the playoffs and may have to recalibrate their plans without these South Africans. SRH are already out of the race, while LSG’s hopes hang by a thread.
South Africa’s head coach Shukri Conrad reaffirmed that the plan was always for players to be released after May 25, regardless of IPL playoff involvement.
Talks are reportedly ongoing between CSA’s top brass and their counterparts at the BCCI, as the Indian board explores options in light of the IPL’s adjusted playoff schedule. But CSA’s position appears resolute.
For the players, it’s a tough call between club commitments and country. But for CSA, the message is clear: the WTC Final is the top priority.
