South African Players To Miss IPL Playoffs Due To WTC Final Commitments

South Africa Places World Test Championship Final over IPL Playoffs

The two ICC World Test Championship finalists are Australia and South Africa playing on June 11 at Lord's. The South African players selected for the WTC final will, however, not be joining the IPL playoffs.

IPL Disrupted by Regional Tensions

Earlier, the IPL was delayed because of Operation Sindoor, a military operation carried out after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam. This resulted in tensions between India and Pakistan. Following both nations agreeing to a ceasefire, the BCCI postponed the IPL to resume on May 17, with the final on June 3.

Conflict Between IPL and WTC Schedules

This revised schedule of the IPL has caused South African players hardship as they now have to go back and start preparing for the WTC. The South African Cricket Board had asked its cricketers to return home latest by May 26 to commence WTC practice.

"priority is the WTC final. We want the Test players with us by May 26. We've appealed to the BCCI to also support this," stated Enoch Nkwe, Director of Cricket South Africa.

South Africa Firm on Player Return Date

South Africa's head coach Shukri Conrad supported the board’s decision. He confirmed that based on the current agreement with the IPL and BCCI, players are expected to return by May 26.

“We’re leaving for the WTC final on May 30. Returning by May 26 gives us enough time. We’re not changing this plan,” said Conrad.