The delay of the IPL 2025 season because of the Indo-Pak conflict is causing a lot of trouble for the teams. The BCCI wants all international players back for the league’s restart, but Cricket South Africa has told its players to come home by May 26, which was the original plan since the IPL final was supposed to be on May 25. The talks between the two boards are still ongoing, but CSA isn’t willing to change its mind.
Several South African players, including Corbin Bosch from Mumbai Indians and Marco Jansen from Punjab Kings, have been named to the World Test Championship final squad announced on May 13. The BCCI is expected to release all overseas players on May 26, but the league’s regular matches won’t finish until after May 27, with the final scheduled for June 3.
South Africa’s head coach, Shukri Conrad, commented, Our agreement was that with the final on May 25, our players would come back on the 26th, giving them time before we leave on the 30th. Nothing has changed for us. He added that the higher-ups are discussing the situation, but for now, they want their players back on the 26th.
CSA’s cricket director, Enoch Nkwe, mentioned they’re still in talks with the IPL and BCCI about the issue. Some IPL teams might still have South African players who aren’t part of the World Test Championship final, like Dewald Brevis with Chennai Super Kings and Faf du Plessis with Delhi Capitals.
The players heading to the WTC final need to meet in Arundel, England, on May 31 to prepare for a practice match against Zimbabwe from June 3-6 before heading to London for the final starting June 11.
