Tournament Returns After Delay
The Indian Premier League (IPL) will restart in two days' time. The competition had been put on hold after rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Fans had initially been devastated when the BCCI had postponed the rest of the matches. But they are now excited that the league would restart this Saturday.
Foreign Players to Miss Remaining Matches
All the foreign players have returned to their respective nations. Their absence could affect team performances and playoff chances. IPL 2025, being the 18th season, was halted for nine days. Due to this break, the tournament will now end on June 3 instead of before. All the foreign boards have international matches scheduled for June. Due to these obligations, the majority of the players will not return for the rest of the games.
Players Departing on International Duty
The South African Cricket Board formally announced that the players selected for the World Test Championship (WTC) final will not play anymore in the IPL. There have been informal indications to other nations asking players to return. Important players like Kagiso Rabada and Shafanie Rutherford will not be available to Gujarat Titans. Jos Buttler's availability is also uncertain.
Teams Losing Key Players
- Gujarat Titans: Rabada, Rutherford, Rickleton out; Buttler uncertain
- Bangalore: Hazlewood, Bethel, Ngidi, Shepherd out
- Delhi Capitals: Starc, Fraser, Stubbs out
- Lucknow: Markram leaving
- Punjab: Jansen out
- Sunrisers: Out of playoffs but Cummins and Head likely to play
Player Replacements Underway
Delhi has picked Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for Jake Fraser. Mustafizur can also replace Mitchell Starc. But the Bangladesh Cricket Board has not given his no-objection certificate yet.
Available Foreign Players
- Punjab: Bartlett, Azmatullah, Mitchell Owen
- Bangalore: Livingston, Salt
- Mumbai: Boult, Mujeeb
- Kolkata: Cummins, Head, Klaasen, Russell, Narine, Powell, de Kock, Gurbaz
- Chennai: Noor Ahmed, Brevis, Pathirana, Conway, Sam Curran
Players in Doubt
- Punjab: Stoinis, Inglis, Aaron Hardy
- Gujarat: Jos Buttler
- Mumbai: Will Jacks, Corbin Bosh
- Sunrisers: Malinga, Kamindu, Mulder
- Chennai: Rachin Ravindra
- Kolkata: Moeen Ali, Spencer Johnson
Players Ruled Out
- Gujarat: Rabada, Rutherford, Coetzee
- Delhi: Starc, Fraser, Stubbs
- Bangalore: Hazlewood, Bethel, Shepherd, Ngidi
- Lucknow: Markram
- Punjab: Jansen
- Mumbai: Rickleton
Rule Changes Due to Special Circumstances
Overall, IPL teams are not permitted to sign new players beyond the 12th match. They are only permitted to make injury replacements. Due to the sudden break, however, the BCCI has permitted teams to sign new players beyond this point. Such players will be given temporary contracts and cannot be retained during the next season. Only those signed before the break can be retained.
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