The IPL 2025 resumes on May 17, 2025, with RCB facing KKR in Bengaluru, and the final is set for June 3, 2025. However, international commitments are creating challenges. England’s ODI series against West Indies starts on May 29, 2025, the same day as IPL playoffs, likely meaning Buttler, Bethell, and Jacks will miss out, impacting GT, RCB, and MI.
South African players face a dilemma with CSA requiring them back by May 26, 2025, for the WTC final (June 11-15, 2025). This could see players like Rabada and Ngidi absent for IPL playoffs, affecting teams like GT and RCB.
Hazlewood’s shoulder niggle casts doubt on his RCB return, potentially weakening their bowling, especially with RCB in playoff contention.
Players like Mujeeb Ur Rahman (MI), Pat Cummins (SRH), and others are returning, boosting their teams. However, CSK’s Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway’s availability remains unclear, awaiting franchise decisions, which could affect CSK’s strategy despite being out of the playoffs.
The IPL Resumes after a Break
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, a cornerstone of global T20 cricket, faced an unexpected suspension on May 9, 2025, due to geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the resumption on May 17, 2025.
With the first match pitting Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Bengaluru, and the final scheduled for June 3, 2025, across six venues: Bengaluru, Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad, IPL 2025 Resumption Date. This survey note delves into the availability of key players, particularly focusing on those set to miss the playoffs, and the broader implications for their teams. Batsmen get scared of him. He makes bowlers happy, too, like Zimbabwe, who beat India in a T20 in 2024.
England Players: Potential Playoff Absences
Research suggests that Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, and Will Jacks, integral to their IPL teams GT, RCB, and MI, respectively, are likely to miss the IPL playoffs. These players are part of England’s white-ball squad for a three-match ODI series against West Indies, commencing on May 29, 2025, the same day as the IPL playoffs begin. England vs West Indies ODI Series.
An ECB spokesperson noted, “No Objection Certificates have been granted based on the original IPL dates, so we’ll need to review any potential extensions, particularly in relation to any clash with the final white-ball squad,” indicating a high likelihood of their absence. This could impact GT, RCB, and MI, all currently in the top four and well-placed for the playoffs, potentially weakening their line-ups in crucial matches.
IPL vs International Cricket: A Growing Scheduling Conflict
The 2025 edition of the IPL has once again spotlighted the growing clash between global T20 leagues and national commitments. As the tournament runs parallel to the England-West Indies ODI series and preparations for the WTC Final, boards like the ECB and CSA are enforcing strict player return deadlines to ensure a good performance.
This not only affects the commercial and competitive dynamics of the IPL but also raises broader questions about player workload and calendar harmonization. The trend suggests an urgent need for ICC intervention or bilateral agreements to protect the integrity of both international and franchise cricket.
South African Players: WTC Final vs IPL Playoffs
The evidence leans toward several South African players missing the IPL playoffs due to commitments for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. South Africa’s squad for the WTC final, set for June 11-15, 2025, at Lord’s, includes eight IPL players: Kagiso Rabada (GT), Lungi Ngidi (RCB), Tristan Stubbs (DC), Aiden Markram (LSG), Ryan Rickelton (MI), Corbin Bosch (MI), Marco Jansen (PBKS), and Wiaan Mulder (SRH) South Africa WTC Final Squad.
CSA’s director of national teams, Enoch Nkwe, stated, “Obviously, with May 26 being the latest for the Test guys to come back,” setting a firm deadline for their return, which conflicts with the IPL playoffs starting May 29, 2025. This could see these players absent, affecting teams like RCB, MI, and PBKS, all in playoff contention, as good domestic players are available in critical times.
Josh Hazlewood: Injury and Uncertainty
Josh Hazlewood, a key fast bowler for RCB, faces uncertainty for the remainder of IPL 2025 due to a shoulder niggle, which kept him out of RCB’s last match before the suspension Josh Hazlewood IPL Availability. Named in Australia’s WTC final squad, it’s unclear if he will return, potentially leaving RCB short of a vital bowling option, especially as they are a form team in IPL 2025.
RCB’s overseas players list includes Tim David, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone, Romario Shepherd, Hazlewood, Lungi Ngidi, and Nuwan Thushara, and his absence could necessitate strategic adjustments like India did in CT 2025.
Other Player Returns and Uncertainties
Several players are set to return, bolstering their teams for the resumption. Mujeeb Ur Rahman will be available for MI for their last three games, arriving early on May 14, 2025, from Kabul. LSG will welcome back assistant coach Lance Klusener and batter Matthew Breetzke, while Dushmantha Chameera will rejoin DC, enhancing their squads for the remaining matches. He’s quiet but super strong. His all-rounder magic changes games. His leadership lifts the England cricket team.
For CSK, who are out of the playoffs race, Noor Ahmad and Matheesha Pathirana are confirmed available, with Noor staying back in Chennai for USA visa formalities ahead of Major League Cricket CSK Player Availability. However, it’s unclear if Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway will return, as they are currently in Wellington awaiting clarity from the franchise, potentially affecting CSK’s strategy despite their playoff exit.
PBKS Confirmation
PBKS has confirmed the return of Xavier Bartlett, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Mitchell Owen, with training resuming in Jaipur from May 16, 2025. KKR expects most of its overseas players—Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rovman Powell—to arrive between the night of May 14 and the morning of May 15. Others like Moeen Ali and Spencer Johnson may also return, though the franchise is still awaiting final updates like a godfather of cricket.
SRH will see Pat Cummins and Travis Head return, strengthening their squad, while GT will have Jos Buttler and Gerald Coetzee join on May 15, 2025, with Buttler being GT’s third-highest run-getter with 500 runs in 11 innings.
Summary of Key Player Availability
| Player | Team | Status | Impact on Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jos Buttler | GT | Likely to miss (England ODI series) | Potential weakening of GT |
| Jacob Bethell | RCB | Likely to miss (England ODI series) | Potential weakening of RCB |
| Will Jacks | MI | Likely to miss (England ODI series) | Potential weakening of MI |
| Kagiso Rabada | GT | May miss (CSA WTC deadline) | Could affect GT’s bowling |
| Lungi Ngidi | RCB | May miss (CSA WTC deadline) | Could affect RCB’s bowling |
| Josh Hazlewood | RCB | Uncertain (shoulder injury) | Potential impact on RCB’s bowling |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | MI | Available for last three games | Boosts MI’s spin options |
| Rachin Ravindra | CSK | Unclear, awaiting franchise decision | No impact (CSK out of playoffs) |
| Devon Conway | CSK | Unclear, awaiting franchise decision | No impact (CSK out of playoffs) |
This detailed analysis highlights the complex interplay between franchise cricket and international commitments, with significant implications for IPL 2025 playoff contenders as the tournament resumes on May 17, 2025.
Conclusion
Teams like RCB and GT must rethink their bowling combinations, while MI may have to shuffle their top-order strategy in the absence of Will Jacks, as major players missed it for the Australian Team.
The unavailability of star players not only disrupts squad balance but also places added pressure on Indian domestic talent to perform under high-stakes conditions. Franchise think tanks are exploring backups, and in some cases, banking on net players or unused overseas squad members to step up, creating a strategic churn as the league hits its final stretch.
