BCCI orders South Africa players to leave IPL 2025; West Indies stars to stay

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has come up with a kind gesture for Cricket South Africa (CSA). As per the reports in PTI, it is learned that the governing body has asked all the franchises to let WTC-bound South African players go home early.

All the South Africa National Cricket Team players who have been named to the squad for the ICC World Test Championship will be allowed to go home on 26th May. The reports also added that all the players of the West Indies National Cricket Team will be available throughout the tournament.

The development was confirmed by the Journalist Bharat Sharma of PTI, who took to his Twitter account and said:

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"The BCCI has asked franchises to ensure all WTC-bound South African players in IPL must return home by May 26, West Indies players to be available throughout the tournament."

The BCCI has asked franchises to ensure all WTC bound South African players in IPL must return home by May 26, West Indies players to be available throughout the tournament

— Bharat Sharma (@sharmabharat45) May 15, 2025

Cricket South Africa was keen to bring back their players on 26th May to prepare for WTC final

This comes after the BCCI and CSA were involved in the discussions. The Proteas Cricket Board was keen to bring back their players on 26th May so that they could prepare for the final of the ICC World Test Championship against Australia. The summit clash will be played from 11th June at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

As per the initial agreement with BCCI, the South African players were due to return home after the final of the IPL 2025, which was supposed to take place on 25th May. However, due to the tensions between India and Pakistan, the tournament was postponed for one week and is now all set to resume on 17th May.

There were many reports that claimed that BCCI would be talking with CSA to allow players to play at least in the playoffs. Even CSA director of national teams and high-performance Enoch Nkwe, who first said that they want players back on 26th May, mentioned that they can play the playoffs as they have delayed their preparations.

Earlier, the South Africa National Cricket Team was all set to begin their preparations for the ICC World Test Championship final on 31st May. But Enoch Nkwe said that discussions are taking place at the higher levels, and they will now start the preparations from 3rd June.

MI, GT, RCB, DC and PBKS set to face blow with early exit of SA players

But with the latest reports claiming that BCCI has asked South African players to go back by 26th May, this means that some of the franchises are all set to face a massive blow. The likes of Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals, who are in contention for the playoffs, will be jolted.

Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans), Lungi Ngidi (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), Tristan Stubbs (Delhi Capitals), Aiden Markram (Lucknow Super Giants), Ryan Rickelton (Mumbai Indians), Corbin Bosch (MI), Marco Jansen (Punjab Kings) and Wiaan Mulder (Sunrisers Hyderabad) are named in the WTC squad.

Rachin Ravindra, Sam Curran and Jamie Overton not rejoning CSK squad

Also, Chennai Super Kings have faced a blow as well. Foreign stars in Rachin Ravindra, Sam Curran, and Jamie Overton won't be returning for the league. The development was confirmed by CEO Kasi Viswanathan, who said:

"Rachin Ravindra, Sam Curran and Jamie Overton not rejoning CSK squad, team has sought no temporary replacement player."

Rachin Ravindra, Sam Curran and Jamie Overton not rejoning CSK squad, team has sought no temporary replacement player: CEO Kasi Viswanathan

— Bharat Sharma (@sharmabharat45) May 15, 2025

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