IPL 2025's clash with international commitments could hurt top five teams in playoff race

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is all set to restart after being suspended for a week due to security concerns in the country. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the resumption of the league on Monday night after conducting meetings to finalise the revised schedule and venues.

While the IPL 2025 restart has been confirmed, several teams could be hit hard due to international duties of their overseas stars. The 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa, and the ODI series involving West Indies, Ireland, and England are coming up and some of the top five IPL teams right now might miss key foreign players in the race to the playoffs.

Here’s a team-wise look at which overseas players could miss IPL 2025 action due to possible schedule clashes.

Which IPL 2025 teams will be worst affected?

Mumbai Indians (MI): Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch are both part of South Africa’s squad for the WTC final. Since CSA has indicated that the South African team will assemble in England by 31 May, these two could miss the IPL playoffs if MI qualifies.

Punjab Kings (PK): Marco Jansen is also in South Africa’s Test squad. If he has to leave by the end of May, Punjab could lose one of their key bowlers just before the knockouts. PBKS are in a strong position in the points table and are likely to make the playoffs.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): RCB could be the worst-affected team. Josh Hazlewood (Australia) and Lungi Ngidi (South Africa) have been named to play the WTC final. Romario Shepherd and Sherfane Rutherford are in the West Indies’ ODI squad for Ireland and England.

Will Jacks, Phil Salt, and Jacob Bethell have been named in England’s ODI and T20I teams for their series against the West Indies. If all these players decide to leave early for national duties, RCB will be in big trouble. Hazlewood might not even return in the first place due to security concerns.

Gujarat Titans (GT): GT may also have to make big changes as Jos Buttler has been picked in England’s ODI and T20I squads. Sherfane Rutherford, again, is part of the WI ODI team for Ireland and England series. Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetzee are in South Africa’s WTC final team and could leave before the IPL ends.

Delhi Capitals (DC): Mitchell Starc (Australia) and Tristan Stubbs (South Africa) are part of their countries’ Test squads for WTC final. DC might lose both for the last few league games or the playoffs if they qualify. There are reports suggesting that Starc may miss out on the remainder of the IPL due to safety concerns.