The injury first happened during the Hundred tournament last August. Although he returned for England’s Test series against Pakistan in October, Stokes suffered a relapse while playing in New Zealand later that year. Since then, he has been carefully managing his recovery to avoid further setbacks.

Stokes has been working closely with England’s medical team and head coach Brendon McCullum to ensure his fitness is properly managed. England has been training at Loughborough ahead of their first Test of the summer against Zimbabwe, scheduled to start on May 22.

Following this match, Stokes is expected to play in some warm-up games with England Lions against India A, before the highly anticipated five-Test series against India begins on June 20.

While Jos Buttler stepped down as England’s white-ball captain recently, Harry Brook has taken over the role. Stokes is not included in the white-ball squads for the upcoming series against the West Indies but has not ruled out playing white-ball cricket for England in the future.

England’s summer schedule looks challenging, with experienced opponents lined up, but Stokes is ready to contribute once again as a key allrounder for the team.

Also Read : Quinton de Kock to Rejoin KKR Ahead of Crucial Clash Against RCB

Kohli, who announced his Test retirement earlier this week, finished with 30 centuries in 123 matches over a 14-year career. He is also India’s most successful Test captain to date.

Looking Ahead to ODIs and T20 Leagues

Shastri also noted that Kohli is now focused on ODI cricket and the growing landscape of franchise leagues.

Kohli’s Test Legacy

Throughout his Test career, Kohli helped elevate India’s performance on the global stage. His leadership and fitness standards drew widespread recognition from teammates and the cricketing community. Players like Cheteshwar Pujara have credited him with bringing a major shift in team culture and discipline.

While fans may have hoped for an extended run in red-ball cricket, Kohli’s decision marks a new phase in his career, focusing on formats where he believes he can make the most impact.

Also Read : Mustafizur Rahman Replaces Fraser-McGurk at Delhi Capitals for Remainder of IPL 2025

Patidar was seen batting for more than 30 minutes in the nets during RCB’s Thursday evening training session, ahead of their key clash with Kolkata Knight Riders. While his right hand remained slightly taped, he showed no signs of discomfort while executing his full range of strokes. However, he didn’t participate in any fielding drills or catching practice.

Boost for RCB’s Top-Two Hopes

Patidar’s potential return comes at a crucial time for RCB, who currently sit second on the IPL 2025 points table with eight wins in 11 matches. The team needs at least two more victories to secure a top-two finish—an achievement they haven’t reached since IPL 2016.

His return is also timely given the absence of key players. Devdutt Padikkal has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury. The franchise has brought in veteran opener Mayank Agarwal as his replacement. In addition, Jacob Bethell will also miss the playoffs due to international duty.

Mixed Form in First Season as Captain

While Patidar made a strong start to the season, his recent form has dipped. Across his last five innings, he has managed a highest score of just 23. Still, he has compiled 239 runs in 10 innings so far, striking at an impressive rate of 140.58. His standout performance came in the form of a 32-ball 64 against Mumbai Indians—a match-winning knock that remains his only half-century this season.

If cleared to play, Patidar’s return could stabilize RCB’s top order and provide leadership as the team prepares for a tight playoff race.

Also Read : Shepherd, Livingstone Rejoin RCB Ahead of IPL 2025 Playoffs

Mayank, one of LSG’s key retentions ahead of the mega auction, was returning to competitive action after nearly six months, having last played in October 2024. However, his IPL 2025 stint lasted just two matches—against Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings—before the tournament was temporarily suspended due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan.

Despite his reduced pace this season, Mayank’s previous performances had earned him a place in India’s fast bowling plans, including a central contract last year for his raw pace and accuracy.

Injury Woes Continue

Mayank had previously missed the entire 2024–25 domestic season following a back injury that occurred shortly after his international debut. His rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru was further delayed due to a toe injury caused by a freak accident at home.

Upon his return, Mayank appeared significantly slower, clocking in the high-130s and rarely hitting the 140 kph mark. LSG mentor Zaheer Khan had earlier stated that the franchise was in “constant dialogue” with the NCA and was following a detailed recovery regimen provided by the board.

New Additions: O’Rourke and Jamieson

Will O’Rourke, the 22-year-old left-arm pacer from New Zealand, comes in with limited international T20 experience—five T20Is since his debut against Pakistan in 2024—but has also featured in 10 Tests and 17 ODIs. This IPL opportunity will be his first in a global franchise league.

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings (PBKS) have also made a replacement after New Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson was ruled out with injury. Ferguson bowled only two deliveries in a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad before walking off the field, prompting PBKS bowling coach James Hopes to confirm that he was “out indefinitely.”

Fellow Kiwi Kyle Jamieson will replace Ferguson for the remainder of the season. Jamieson, who previously represented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2021, was also part of Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2025, where he played just two matches. He joins PBKS at a contract value of ₹2 crore.

Other Squad Updates

In related news, Gujarat Titans (GT) have signed Sri Lankan batter Kusal Mendis as a replacement for Jos Buttler, who is set to return to England duties after the league stage. Mendis joins GT for ₹75 lakh and is eligible to feature in the playoffs.

Also Read : Boult Expected to Return for Remainder of IPL 2025

However, Shepherd’s availability for the playoffs remains uncertain. He is part of West Indies’ ODI squad for series against Ireland (May 21–25) and England (starting May 29). Cricket West Indies has not yet confirmed if players selected for the England tour can stay back in India for the remainder of the IPL.

Meanwhile, Liam Livingstone has also rejoined RCB. Unlike Jacob Bethell, who is part of England’s white-ball squads, Livingstone has been dropped from both ODI and T20I sides, making him available for the full IPL stretch. Bethell, however, will only be available for RCB’s next two games—against KKR and SRH—before heading back to England. He’ll miss RCB’s final league game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

RCB, currently on 16 points from 11 matches, are in a strong position to qualify for the playoffs. But availability concerns remain.

• Josh Hazlewood is unlikely to return due to a shoulder issue.
• Lungi Ngidi, who debuted for RCB against CSK on May 3, is part of South Africa’s WTC final squad and may leave before RCB’s final group match.

On a positive note, Phil Salt is set to be available for the remainder of IPL 2025. He is only in England’s T20I squad for the West Indies series, which begins June 6, three days after the new IPL final date.

Also Read : PBKS Await Stoinis and Inglis’ Decision as IPL 2025 Resumes on May 17

In response, DC have signed Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman as his replacement for INR 6 crore. Mustafizur is no stranger to the franchise, having represented them in IPL 2022 and 2023, where he took nine wickets in total. However, under the newly tweaked IPL rules, he won’t be eligible for retention in the IPL 2026 auction cycle.

The updated replacement rules—introduced after the mid-season suspension of IPL due to external factors—now allow franchises to sign temporary replacements beyond the 12-match limit, even if the original player’s exit wasn’t due to injury.

However, Mustafizur’s participation is not yet guaranteed. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has stated that it hasn’t received a formal NOC request from the IPL or the player. Mustafizur is currently with the national team in Dubai, preparing for back-to-back T20I series, including one in Pakistan, both of which clash with the revised IPL dates.

Fraser-McGurk’s absence comes after a poor run with the bat—just 55 runs in six innings, with five single-digit scores and a top score of 38—which led to his benching midway through the season. This was a sharp decline from his form at the end of IPL 2024, where he was considered crucial to DC’s lineup.

Despite the change, Delhi Capitals’ playoff hopes remain alive. But uncertainty continues to loom over the availability of key overseas players, including Mitchell Starc, Faf du Plessis, and Tristan Stubbs.

Stubbs is part of South Africa’s squad for the upcoming World Test Championship final starting June 11 at Lord’s. As per Cricket South Africa, players involved in the WTC must honor their original IPL NOCs, which expire on May 25, the initially scheduled IPL final date.

Also Read : BCB Awaits Government Clearance Before Confirming Pakistan Tour

According to ESPNcricinfo, most of KKR’s overseas players have confirmed their availability for the resumption of the tournament, which was suspended for a week due to India-Pakistan border tensions. Among them is Spencer Johnson, the Australian left-arm quick, whose return was previously in doubt.

However, KKR are still waiting for a final confirmation from England allrounder Moeen Ali.

Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, two key overseas stars, are expected to arrive in Bengaluru by Wednesday afternoon. The duo had been stationed in Dubai since the tournament’s temporary suspension and had put their return to the Caribbean on hold, anticipating the league’s restart.

Most of KKR’s Indian players will join the squad in batches from Wednesday evening. The team has scheduled two training sessions at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday and Friday evenings in preparation for their high-stakes encounter against RCB.

Also Read : WTC Final-Bound South African Players May Miss IPL 2025 Playoffs

The 36-year-old pacer was MI’s most expensive signing at the last mega auction, going for INR 12.5 crore (USD 1.49 million approx). He has more than justified the investment. With 18 wickets at an economy rate of 8.49, Boult is MI’s leading wicket-taker and currently tied for fourth on the tournament’s overall wicket charts. One of his standout performances was a 4 for 26 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which earned him the Player-of-the-Match award.

IPL Rescheduling Throws Overseas Availability into Question

MI’s campaign, however, faces uncertainty due to the rescheduling of IPL 2025, which was temporarily suspended for a week on May 10. The new schedule could affect several overseas players across teams, and MI are among the most impacted franchises.

The team is still waiting for updates on the availability of three of their key overseas players: South African duo Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch, and England allrounder Will Jacks.

On Tuesday, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced that NOCs granted to South African players would only be valid until May 25, the original end date of the tournament. With Rickelton and Bosch both named in South Africa’s squad for the upcoming World Test Championship final, CSA has made it clear that selected players must assemble by the end of May to begin preparations.

Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has instructed its IPL-bound players, including Will Jacks, to return in time for England’s home ODI series against the West Indies starting May 29.

Also Read : Cummins, Head Likely to Rejoin SRH for Remainder of IPL 2025

This early departure is causing some tension between Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), as it would prevent these players from participating in the IPL playoffs, scheduled to end on June 3. The situation is under discussion between CSA and the BCCI, with CSA hoping the BCCI will understand their decision to prioritize the WTC final.

CSA officials, including national coach Shukri Conrad and director of national teams Enoch Nkwe, emphasized that the players would stick to the original plan, which requires them to return by May 26 to allow for proper preparation before the WTC final. The situation remains fluid, as the players must balance their commitments to both tournaments.

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The revised schedule now has the first T20I on May 27, with the last one on June 5. However, the BCB will not proceed with the tour until it receives approval from the Bangladesh government’s foreign and home ministries. If the government deems Pakistan safe for travel, only then will the tour be confirmed.

BCB’s media committee chairman, Iftekhar Rahman, emphasized that security concerns would be assessed by government agencies before making a decision. Bangladesh is scheduled to play two T20Is against UAE in Sharjah before heading to Pakistan.

Also Read : IPL 2025 to Resume on May 17; Final Set for June 3