Eight South African players involved in both the IPL 2025 and the World Test Championship (WTC) final are set to leave India by May 25, ruling them out of the rescheduled IPL playoffs. The players affected include Kagiso Rabada (GT), Lungi Ngidi (RCB), Tristan Stubbs (DC), Aiden Markram (LSG), Ryan Rickelton, Corbin Bosch (both MI), Marco Jansen (PBKS), and Wiaan Mulder (SRH). They will return home to South Africa before flying to the UK on May 30 for the WTC final, which begins on June 11.
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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