Mumbai Indians have obtained a triple blow with Ryan Rickleton and Corbin Bosch each leaving after the league stage. As Will Jacks may also depart, it is going to deplete MI’s line-up in the event that they qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs.
In a major blow to IPL 2025, all eight South African players who are part of the squad for WTC Final 2025 will miss the playoffs. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was negotiating an extension for the players as the NOC set to end on May 25. While BCCI did manage to extend their stay for the league stage, the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Aiden Markram will leave on May 28 after the league stage is over.
South Africa will take on Zimbabwe in a four-day Test match, starting May 30, to warm up for the WTC Final 2025, which begins on June 11 at Lord’s. Out of the eight players, seven are still in the playoff race for their teams. Only Sunrisers Hyderabad have been knocked out, with Wiaan Mulder playing his last league match on May 25. South Africa coach Shukri Conrad earlier said that he would want all the players playing in IPL back by May 26. However, for the rest of the South African players, they will complete the IPL 2025 assignment.
“The initial agreement with the IPL and the BCCI was with the final being on May 25, our players would return on the 26th so that it allows them ample time before we fly out on the 30th. Nothing has changed from our perspective,” Conrad told the media on Tuesday.
South African players to leave IPL
- Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans) – available till May 25
- Aiden Markram (Lucknow Super Giants) – available till May 27
- Marco Jansen (Punjab Kings) – available till May 26
- Tristan Stubbs (Delhi Capitals) – available till May 24
- Lungi Ngidi (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) – available till May 27
- Wiaan Mulder (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – available till May 25
- Ryan Rickelton (Mumbai Indians) – available till May 26
- Corbin Bosch (Mumbai Indians) – available till May 26
Triple blow for Mumbai Indians
With Ryan Rickleton in fine form apart from Corbin Bosch, it is a double blow for Mumbai Indians. Rickleton and Bosch are both part of the WTC squad. Apart from the Protean duo, MI will also miss Will Jacks, who will leave after the league stage for England’s series against West Indies.
Rickleton is MI’s second-highest scorer with 336 runs in 12 matches. He has also scored three half-centuries. Bosch scored 47 runs in two matches and picked up a wicket. As Rickleton won’t be available, MI will need to play a wicket-keeper. Robin Minz or KL Shrijith are likely to get a chance if MI make the playoffs.
With Will Jacks also unavailable after May 26, MI will have to rejig the top order. Jacks scored 195 runs in 9 innings at an average of 24.38. But more importantly, he picked up five wickets. Bevon Jacobs could play in his place, but Mumbai will need an off-spinner.
Trouble for RCB
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who are a win away from qualifying for the IPL playoffs, are also in trouble. With Josh Hazlewood carrying a shoulder injury and likely to miss the playoffs, Lungi Ngidi will also have to leave on May 27 after RCB’s last league match.
RCB’s bowling attack will be severely impacted in the absence of both Hazlewood and Ngidi. Furthermore, they will also miss the services of Romario Shepherd in the playoffs.
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