Published: May 14, 2025, 11:03 AM (IST)
Edited: May 14, 2025, 11:03 AM (IST)
South African players who have been picked for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia are likely to miss the IPL playoffs as the country’s cricket board is standing firm on prioritising national duty over league commitments.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Monday that the (Indian Premier League (IPL) will resume on May 17 with the final slated for June 3.
However, the revised schedule has left players from WTC finalists Australia and South Africa in a tight spot. The franchises and the BCCI have urged foreign boards to make their players available for the remainder of the tournament.
CSA, however, has reiterated its commitment to WTC Final preparations.
“It is an individual decision, obviously, to return or to play or continue,” CSA’s director of national teams and high performance Enoch Nkwe said during press conference.
“One thing we’ve made clear, and we are finalising this with the IPL and the BCCI, is sticking to our original plan when it comes to the WTC preparations. May 26 is the latest for the Test guys to come back. The original plans don’t change because the No. 1 priority is the WTC final. We’ve been engaging with them over the last day or two to make sure we’re all on the same page,” he added.
Eight South African players — Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tristan Stubbs, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder have been named in the Proteas squad for the WTC Final, scheduled to start from June 11 in London.
Currently, Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants are in contention for an IPL playoff spot. Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings have been eliminated.
South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad echoed CSA’s stance.
“Our initial agreement with IPL-BCCI was, with the final being on the 25th, our players would return on the 26th, so that it allows them ample time before we fly out on the 30th. As it stands, we’re not budging on this. We want our players back on the 26th,” he said.
“That is the ongoing conversations that are being had between people in a higher pay grade than I am. They’re dealing with that. We want our players back on the 26th and hopefully that comes to fruition,” he added.
The IPL season was suspended on May 9 due to a military confrontation between India and Pakistan, triggered by the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, South Kashmir. A ceasefire announced the following day paved the way for the tournament’s resumption.
As per the new schedule, the league stage ends on May 27, with playoffs running from May 29 to June 3, dates that clash with CSA’s WTC preparations.
