Cricket South Africa (CSA) intends to adhere to its previous agreement with the Indian Premier League (IPL), which includes holding the final on May 25 and having players return home on May 26. The players are scheduled to leave for England on May 30.
In recent developments, CSA has requested that all their players return home from IPL 2025 on May 26. Among the 20 South African players representing different franchises, eight have been selected for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia, set to begin on June 11 at Lord's Cricket Ground.
CSA's head coach, Shukri Conrad, stated that they are unwilling to compromise on the players' return date of May 26. He emphasized that constructive discussions are ongoing with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). "We’re not budging on that, I don’t think. We want our players back on the 26th, and hopefully, that comes to fruition," Conrad said on Tuesday, May 13.
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The eight players selected for the squad participating in the WTC Final are:Â
- Corbin Bosch (Mumbai Indians)
- Wiaan Mulder (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
- Marco Jansen (Punjab Kings)
- Aiden Markram (Lucknow Super Giants)
- Lungi Ngidi (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
- Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans)
- Ryan Rickelton (Mumbai Indians)
- Tristtan Stubbs (Delhi Capitals)
The players are expected to assemble in Arundel, England, for a practice match against the Zimbabwe senior men’s team on May 31 before heading to London on June 7. Wiaan Mulder, who plays for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, is the only player who will be able to return to South Africa on May 26, while the rest of the team remains in contention for the IPL playoffs, with 16 matches left in the league stages.
Also read:Â Cricket Australia's bold message for Cummins, Starc, & Head after IPL 2025 revised fixture announced
According to Cricbuzz, discussions have taken place between CSA's Director of Cricket and the BCCI regarding the players' extended stay. Enoch Nkwe, the CSA Director of Cricket, confirmed, "We are still in discussions with the IPL and BCCI."
