ISLAMABAD: Eight South African cricketers involved in both the IPL 2025 and the World Test Championship (WTC) final are expected to leave India by 25 May, in line with the initial No Objection Certificates (NOCs) granted to them.
The players — Kagiso Rabada (GT), Lungi Ngidi (RCB), Tristan Stubbs (DC), Aiden Markram (LSG), Ryan Rickelton, Corbin Bosch (both MI), Marco Jansen (PBKS), and Wiaan Mulder (SRH) — will return home before departing with the rest of the WTC squad to the United Kingdom on 30 May.
This early departure could render them unavailable for the rescheduled IPL playoffs, an issue currently being discussed between Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Media reports indicate that, given the importance of the WTC final, CSA is optimistic that the BCCI will acknowledge the need to adhere to the original arrangement and refrain from extending the players’ NOCs beyond 3 June.
However, CSA is aware that this stance could potentially strain relations between the two boards.
Initial agreement
South Africa’s head coach, Shukri Conrad, and director of cricket, Enoch Nkwe, have both reiterated that, according to the original agreement, the players are scheduled to depart India by 25 May.
“The initial agreement with the IPL and BCCI was that, with the final being on the 25th, our players would return on the 26th, giving them sufficient time before we depart on the 30th,” said Conrad in Johannesburg, following the announcement of South Africa’s WTC final squad.
“That conversation is currently being handled by those above my pay grade — the director of cricket [Nkwe] and CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki. We want our players back on the 26th, and we hope that will be the case.”
Nkwe emphasised that while it ultimately remains a personal choice for each player, CSA’s position is firm.
Original plan
“It is an individual decision, of course — whether to return or to continue playing,” said Nkwe.
“But we’ve made our stance clear and are in the final stages of discussions with the IPL and BCCI. Our preference is to stick to the original plan for WTC preparations, with 26 May being the latest return date for our Test players.”
The South African squad is due to arrive in England on 31 May and will face Zimbabwe in a four-day warm-up match at Arundel starting 3 June — the same day as the IPL final. The WTC final is scheduled to take place from 11 to 15 June.
From a franchise perspective, GT, RCB, PBKS, and MI are all in strong contention to secure a place in the IPL 2025 top four. DC still has a mathematical chance, while SRH have already been eliminated, and LSG are on the verge of exiting the playoff race.
Should CSA adhere to its current plan, GT could be without Rabada and PBKS without Jansen during the playoffs — possible setbacks for both sides.
South Africa WTC Final Squad:
Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Kyle Verreynne, David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson.
