Several IPL teams will face a big problem as important South African players are likely to miss the IPL 2025 playoffs.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has asked these players, who are part of the World Test Championship (WTC) final team, to return home early and start preparing for their important match against Australia.
This means the players have to put their country’s needs first and leave their IPL teams before the playoffs begin
Background: Scheduling Conflict Between IPL and WTC Final
- The IPL 2025 final is now scheduled for June 3, after a one-week suspension due to the India-Pakistan conflict, extending the season beyond its original end date of May 25.
- The WTC final between South Africa and Australia is set to begin on June 11 at Lord’s, London.
- South Africa has scheduled a preparatory camp and a warm-up match against Zimbabwe from June 3–6 in England, requiring players to assemble by May 31.
CSA’s Firm Stance and Player Recall Deadline
CSA has issued a strict deadline: all WTC final squad members currently playing in the IPL must return to South Africa by May 26, as per the original No Objection Certificates (NOCs) granted to them.
This decision is aimed at ensuring adequate preparation time for the Proteas ahead of their first-ever WTC final appearance.
CSA Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe confirmed ongoing discussions with the BCCI, but reiterated that national team preparations will take precedence.
Head coach Shukri Conrad emphasized the importance of the May 26 deadline, stating, “We want our players back on the 26th and hopefully that comes to fruition”.
South African Players Affected
Seven South African cricketers currently active in IPL 2025 have been named in the WTC final squad:
| Player | IPL Franchise |
| Lungi Ngidi | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Tristan Stubbs | Delhi Capitals |
| Aiden Markram | Lucknow Super Giants |
| Ryan Rickelton | Mumbai Indians |
| Corbin Bosch | Mumbai Indians |
| Marco Jansen | Punjab Kings |
| Wiaan Mulder | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
Some of these players are vital to their IPL teams’ playoff ambitions, particularly Rabada, Markram, and Jansen.
Impact on IPL Franchises
- Franchises like Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians-currently in strong contention for playoff spots-stand to lose their South African stars just before the knockout phase.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants are either eliminated or on the brink, so the impact there is minimal.
- The absence of these players could disrupt team strategies, especially in high-stakes matches, and force franchises to adjust their line-ups at a critical juncture.
