IPL 2025 Highlights: Buttler, Coetzee to join GT on 14 May; no words from Australians yet

England play a three-match ODI series against England from 29 May to 3 June – which is when the IPL playoffs will be taking place as per the revised schedule. This could lead to an uncomfortable situation for players such as former white-ball captain Jos Buttler, who is an integral member of the Gujarat Titans batting lineup with the Shubman Gill-led side currently on top of the table.

Others such as Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Jacob Bethell and Mumbai Indians’ Will Jacks face a similar situation, with their teams also in the playoffs zone in the standings.

Good news for GT fans as Jos Buttler and Gerald Coetzee are expected to be back on Wednesday. GT currently lead the IPL 2025 points table with 16 points from 11 matches and play DC in their first match on return on 18 May.

Overseas players list for GT: Jos Buttler, Sherfane Rutherford, Rashid Khan, Karim Janat, Dasun Shanaka, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada

Cricket Australia has made it clear that it will support its players in case they decide not to go back to India for the remainder of IPL 2025. There are reports that players like Mitchell Starc and Travis Head are unwilling to return.

CA said on Tuesday that they are also in touch with the BCCI over the issue.

“Cricket Australia will support players in their individual decisions whether to return to India or not,” CA said in a statement.

“Team management will work through the preparation implications for the World Test Championship final for those players who choose to play in the remaining IPL matches.

“We are maintaining communication with the Australian Government and BCCI around security arrangements and safety.”

Australia captain Cummins leads Sunrisers Hyderabad and his presence will be crucial for the franchise in their remaining matches, even if they have already been eliminated from the playoffs race. The availability of other Australians including Cummins’ SRH teammate Travis Head as well as Delhi Capitals’ Mitchell Starc and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Josh Hazlewood remains doubtful.

Additionally, David Warner will be returning to Pakistan for the remaining Pakistan Super League matches. The former Australian opener captains Karachi Kings in the PSL.

Here are the dates and venues for the remaining matches of the 2025 Indian Premier League:

League matches (Timings in IST)

Saturday, 17 May (7: 30 PM) – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Bengaluru

Sunday, 18 May (3:30 PM) – Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings, Jaipur

Sunday, 18 May (7:30 PM) – Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans, Delhi

Monday, 19 May (7:30 PM) – Lucknow Super Giants vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow

Tuesday, 20 May (7:30 PM) – Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals, Delhi

Wednesday, 21 May (7:30 PM) – Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals, Mumbai

Thursday, 22 May (7:30 PM) – Gujarat Titans vs Lucknow Super Giants, Ahmedabad

Friday, 23 May (7:30 PM) – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Bengaluru

Saturday, 24 May (7:30 PM) – Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals, Jaipur

Sunday, 25 May (3:30 PM) – Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings, Ahmedabad

Sunday, 25 May (7:30 PM) – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi

Monday, 26 May (7:30 PM) – Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians

Tuesday, 27 May (7:30 PM) – Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Playoffs (venues yet to be finalised)

Thursday, 29 May (7:30 PM) – Qualifier 1

Friday, 30 May (7:30 PM) – Eliminator

Sunday, 1 June (7:30 PM) – Qualifier 2

Tuesday, 3 June (7:30 PM) – Final

The return of key players such as Delhi Capitals’ Mitchell Starc and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Josh Hazlewood for the remaining matches of the season is doubtful, especially since both teams are still in the race to the playoffs with RCB on the verge of sealing their qualification. The two pacers will also be hoping to keep themselves fresh for the ICC World Test Championship final, in which Australia defends its title against South Africa.

Australia captain Pat Cummins, however, is likely to return to India to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad, who are already eliminated, in their remaining matches.

The playoffs will be taking place from 29 May to 3 June according to the revised schedule. Qualifier 1 will take place on Thursday, 29 May and followed by the Eliminator on Friday, 30 May. Qualifier 2 takes place on Sunday, 1 June with the final taking place on a Tuesday (3 June) instead of a weekend slot.

Hyderabad and Kolkata were originally scheduled to host the playoffs this season after Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad finished as the winners and runners-up respectively last season. The BCCI, however, did not mention the venues for the playoffs in the revised schedule and is expected to take a call in the coming days.