The availability of South African players for the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) playoffs remains undecided as Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) engage in high-level discussions.
The IPL 2025, suspended on May 9 due to India-Pakistan tensions following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, will resume on May 17 with a revised schedule extending the final to June 3 from May 25.
This extension clashes with South Africa’s preparations for their World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final against Australia, set for June 11-15 at Lord’s, creating a dilemma for CSA’s eight Test players in the IPL.
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CSA, BCCI Discuss Availability of South African Players for IPL 2025 Playoffs
The original No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) issued by CSA allowed players to participate in the IPL until May 25, aligning with the tournament’s initial end date.
However, the revised IPL schedule, which includes playoffs from May 29 to June 3, has prompted the BCCI to request extended availability for South African players, including Corbin Bosch (Mumbai Indians), Ryan Rickelton (Mumbai Indians), Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans), Tristan Stubbs (Delhi Capitals), Aiden Markram (Lucknow Super Giants), Marco Jansen (Punjab Kings), Lungi Ngidi (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) and Wiaan Mulder (Sunrisers Hyderabad).
These players are a part of South Africa’s 15-member squad for the WTC 2023-25 final and CSA is prioritising their return for a warm-up match against Zimbabwe and pre-final training in England.
While the South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad had earlier clearly stated that they want the players back by May 26, the CSA Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe informed that the negotiations between CSA and BCCI are ongoing with no final decision confirmed.
"Yes, we want the Test players back on 26th, but hence I say the matter is getting finalised by higher-ups. (We) can't confirm yet until the matter is settled between the two governing bodies (CSA and BCCI)," Nkwe said as quoted to Cricbuzz on Wednesday.
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CSA Changes Training Schedule Amid Player Availability Discussions with BCCI
CSA initially planned for the WTC squad to gather in Arundel, England, on May 31 for a warm-up match against Zimbabwe from June 3-6, followed by travel to London on June 7. However, Nkwe suggested a potential shift, stating,
"Correction - squad will resume training for the game on 3rd. Like I said, the matter is being discussed higher up than me. At ground level, we are focusing on preps for the WTC Final."
As talks continue, CSA’s non-IPL players are set to depart for England on May 30, while IPL-bound players’ travel plans hinge on the outcome of these discussions.
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