After a short break, IPL 2025 is all set to restart with a much-awaited match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, May 17. The league was paused for a week by the BCCI after bad weather cut short the game between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC).
As the tournament gets back on track, fans can expect most players to return. But not all squads will be at full strength. Some international players will leave for national duty, and a few are out due to injury or personal reasons. With the tournament now running till June 3, teams are making last-minute changes.
New Replacements Announced by LSG, GT, and PBKS
Three teams have already made changes to their squads:
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): Fast bowler Mayank Yadav is out with a back injury. He will be replaced by Will O’Rourke from New Zealand. The pacer joins the squad at a base price of ₹3 crore.
- Gujarat Titans (GT): Star batter Jos Buttler will return to England after GT’s last league game on May 25. His replacement will be Kusal Mendis from Sri Lanka, who has been signed for ₹75 lakh.
- Punjab Kings (PBKS): Injured bowler Lockie Ferguson is being replaced by Kyle Jamieson, another New Zealand player. The tall all-rounder has been picked for ₹2 crore.
West Indies Players Stay for Full IPL
There was some worry about Romario Shepherd (RCB) and Sherfane Rutherford (GT) leaving for the West Indies’ ODI tour of England. But Cricket West Indies (CWI) has allowed both players to stay in India and finish the IPL season.
According to CWI, this is an “unusual” case, but they are confident in their player pool and want to support the IPL schedule.
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South Africans to Miss IPL Playoffs
Eight South African players will leave IPL 2025 before the playoffs. They are part of South Africa’s WTC Final squad and have to be released by May 26. They will travel back home and then head to England for the final.
These players are:
- Aiden Markram (LSG)
- Marco Jansen (PBKS)
- Tristan Stubbs (DC)
- Kagiso Rabada (GT)
- Lungi Ngidi (RCB)
- Wiaan Mulder (SRH)
- Ryan Rickelton (MI)
- Corbin Bosch (MI)
RCB Captain Rajat Patidar Returns to Practice
Good news for RCB captain Rajat Patidar, who injured his finger against CSK on May 3, has returned to the nets. Although it’s not confirmed if he will play on May 17, his practice session brings hope.
However, RCB are already without Devdutt Padikkal, who is out for the season due to an injury.
Mustafizur and Starc Status Still Unclear
Mustafizur Rahman, who was signed by DC as a replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk, is still waiting for clearance from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). He’s currently with the national team in the UAE.
Mitchell Starc’s status is also uncertain. Reports earlier said he may not return, but Cricbuzz has now shared that there’s still a chance he could rejoin DC.
Meanwhile, Pat Cummins and Travis Head from SRH are confirmed to fly directly to Lucknow for their match against LSG on May 19.
More Big Names Out of IPL 2025
- Moeen Ali (KKR) has opted out of the rest of the tournament for personal reasons.
- Rovman Powell (KKR) is likely to miss the May 17 clash against RCB due to injury.
- Jofra Archer (RR) is out for the season after suffering a thumb injury.
- Maheesh Theekshana is nursing a niggle, and his participation remains uncertain.
Jonny Bairstow Could Join MI Squad
Reports suggest Jonny Bairstow might join Mumbai Indians (MI) as a short-term replacement for Will Jacks, who will leave after the league stage for national duty. Though Bairstow went unsold at the auction, he has played 50 IPL games and could be a handy pick.
Also Read: IPL 2025: History In The Making? RCB Fans Plan To Turn Stadium WHITE On May 17 For Virat Kohli
