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Cricket South Africa (CSA) has issued a firm directive requiring its players participating in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season to return home by May 26. This decision sets up a tense standoff with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL franchises, as the tournament’s revised schedule now directly overlaps with crucial preparations for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final.
South Africa players to return home ahead of the WTC Final
The IPL 2025, which resumed on May 17 following a week-long suspension triggered by the recent Indo-Pak conflict, is now scheduled to conclude with the final on June 3. This revised timeline is more than a week later than originally planned and has significantly disrupted the availability of several overseas players, particularly key South African internationals who are vital to their respective franchises’ playoff aspirations.
Under the initial agreement established between CSA and the BCCI prior to the start of the IPL season, South African players were to be released by May 26. This date was strategically set for the day immediately following the IPL final’s originally scheduled date, allowing players ample time to transition back to national duties. However, with the league stage itself now extending past May 26 and the knockout phase stretching into early June, CSA has reiterated its firm stance, insisting that their players must adhere to the original return arrangement.
The urgency behind CSA’s directive is directly linked to South Africa’s impending participation in the ICC World Test Championship final. The Proteas are set to face Australia in the prestigious decider, which is scheduled to begin on June 11 at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Eight South African cricketers currently plying their trade in the IPL 2025 have been named in the squad for the WTC final, underlining the critical mass of talent affected by the deadline.
The early return of the players participating in the IPL is deemed essential for the squad’s comprehensive preparation phase ahead of the WTC final. This includes a crucial warm-up match against Zimbabwe scheduled from June 3 to 6, which necessitates the players’ presence in South Africa well before that date to manage travel and acclimatization. Following the warm-up fixture, the squad will travel to England to finalize their preparations for the clash against Australia.
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CSA head coach Shukri Conrad was unequivocal when addressing the situation, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding the board’s position. “The initial agreement with the IPL and the BCCI was with the final being on the (May) 25th, our players would return on the 26th so that it allows them ample time before we fly out on the 30th,” Conrad stated firmly. “Nothing has changed from our perspective… we’re not budging on that, I don’t think. We want our players back on the 26th, and hopefully that comes to fruition.”
Negotiations continue between CSA and the BCCI
Negotiations between CSA and the BCCI are going on as both boards attempt to navigate the impasse. CSA Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe has confirmed that discussions are underway to find a resolution that satisfies all parties, though CSA’s stance remains resolute in prioritizing national team preparations over franchise commitments.
While some South African players whose teams are already out of playoff contention, such as Wiaan Mulder from Sunrisers Hyderabad, are expected to return without complications as per the deadline, others remain critical to their IPL franchises’ hopes of progressing to the final. Franchises may continue to field South African players not involved in the WTC final squad beyond May 26, but the mandatory absence of key stars like Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram and Marco Jansen could significantly impact team strategies and balance during the business end of the tournament. The coming days will reveal whether a compromise can be reached or if franchises will lose their South African stalwarts at a crucial juncture.
Also READ: Here’s the revised schedule of IPL 2025 with venues and match timings
