Most foreign players, except a few from Australia and England, will come back to play in IPL 2025. The tournament will start again on Saturday, May 17, after being paused for a week because of tensions between India and Pakistan.
A source said that Australian captain Pat Cummins and opener Travis Head have confirmed they will return. Cummins is also preparing to lead Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June.
Good news for Sunrisers Hyderabad is that their captain Cummins and Head will play again, but the team is already out of the playoffs. They have only two matches left.
Teams like Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and Kolkata Knight Riders will have most of their overseas players back, so they are stronger now.
Mumbai Indians had their first training at Wankhede Stadium after the break. Their captain Rohit Sharma practiced with overseas players Mitchell Santner, Bevon Jacobs, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who stayed with the team during the pause. Other overseas players, like England’s Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton, are expected to join from Thursday. Mumbai Indians will play their next match against Delhi Capitals on May 21, so they have enough time to get ready.
For Gujarat Titans, England’s Jos Buttler and South Africa’s Gerald Coetzee will arrive on Wednesday. Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, and Sherfane Rutherford stayed in India. The Titans have a good chance to reach the playoffs.
Uncertainty for Rajasthan Royals, RCB, and Punjab Kings
Rajasthan Royals have some problems as their bowling coach Shane Bond probably won’t come back. Also, England’s Jofra Archer and West Indies player Shimron Hetmyer might not return because they have other matches to play.
For Royal Challengers Bangalore, Australian bowlers Josh Hazlewood (who is injured) and Mitchell Starc will miss the rest of the tournament.
Punjab Kings are unsure if Australian players Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis will return. South African player Marco Jansen is still in Dubai. Inglis is also selected for Australia’s World Test Championship final.
Also See:Â Midway Exit? IPL Teams May Be Handing the Power Back to the Players
Delhi May Host IPL Playoffs
A BCCI source said Delhi might host the four playoff matches of IPL 2025, along with Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Ahmedabad is expected to host the final.
The final was moved from Kolkata because heavy rain is forecast there on June 3, the original date for the final. Right now, the weather looks clear in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Delhi.
