The 18th edition of the world’s wealthiest Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to begin on 22 March 2025 and will witness its final showdown on 25 May 2025. While the excitement about the IPL 2025 season is at its peak among the fans, it also brings forward a shocking streak of heartbreaking moments for the IPL aficionados.
From Sanju Samson to the spearhead bowler of the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise, Jasprit Bumrah are still awaiting their NCA clearance due to their injuries and are most likely to miss out on the opening matches of their respective teams. Well, after a year-long hiatus, it will undoubtedly be a heart-wrenching scenario for the fans if they don’t get to see their favourite players perform in the opening matches.
In this article we will take a look at the top four players who might have to miss out on the opening matches of the IPL 2025 season.
IPL 2025 : Top 4 Players Likely to Miss the Opening Matches
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Jasprit Bumrah – Mumbai Indians (MI)
Mumbai Indians (MI)’ spearhead bowler Japsrit Bumrah is at the first spot in our list of the top four seasoned players who might miss the initial few matches of the IPL 2025. After suffering a major back injury during the first innings of the Sydney Test in the Border-Gavaskar trophy earlier this year in January 2025, Bumrah has been out of competitive cricket and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE).
Although, according to his medical reports, Bumrah is recovering well, he might still have to miss the opening match of Mumbai Indians (MI) against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), slated for Sunday 23 March 2025. As a consequence, the Mumbai Indians (MI) have already started looking out for Bumrah’s replacement in the initial few matches of the IPL 2025.
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Jacob Bethell – Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
At the second spot in our list of the top four players who might have to miss out the opening matches of the IPL 2025 season, we have one of the most reliable batting all-rounders of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad, Jacob Bethell, who was acquired by the franchise for a staggering INR 2.60 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah in November 2024.
The English all-rounder, Jacob Bethell, sustained a major left hamstring injury during England’s ODI series against India in February 2025. Although the status of the seriousness of his injury is not yet confirmed, Jacob Bethell was ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025, raising numerous speculations about his participation in the upcoming IPL 2025 season.
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Mitchell Marsh – Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG)
Next, at the third spot in our list of the top four seasoned players who might miss the initial few matches of the IPL 2025 season, we have Australia’s T20I captain Mitchell Marsh, who was officially picked up by the Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG) franchise for a whooping INR 3.40 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah.
The Aussies captain, Mitchell Marsh, has been missing out on numerous coveted international tournaments, including the most recent Champions Trophy 2025, due to a major back injury. According to the reports, Mitchell Marsh is currently undergoing rehabilitation and is not considered medically fit to perform in the initial matches of the upcoming 18th edition of the Indian Premier League, scheduled to begin on 22 March 2025.
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Hardik Pandya – Mumbai Indians (MI)
The skipper and flag-bearer of the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise is at the fourth spot in our list of the top four players who might have to miss out on the opening matches of the IPL 2025 season. Hardik Pandya faced a one-match suspension due to a one-match suspension resulting from maintaining a slow overrate during MI’s final league match in IPL 2024 against Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG).
As a consequence of breaching the IPL’s Code of Conduct, Hardik Pandya will be ruled out from the Mumbai Indians (MI)’ opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 23. Additionally, Pandya was also fined INR 30 lakhs for his third offence of the IPL 2024 season.
