Jacob Bethell out of RCB for IPL 2025 playoffs; franchise picks KIWI replacement
Published - 22 May 2025, 02:14 PM | Updated - 22 May 2025, 04:33 PM
Young England batter Jacob Bethell will miss the IPL 2025 playoff matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) due to commitments with the national team. The Rajat Patidar-led team has brought in Tim Seifert to replace Bethell for the crucial phase of the tournament.
Jacob Bethell is set to leave Royal Challengers Bengaluru after their match against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 23. RCB, who have already secured a spot in the IPL 2025 playoffs, still have two league matches remaining. They will face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their final league stage game.
Tim Seifert Replaces Jacob Bethell Ahead of IPL 2025 Playoffs
On May 22, the IPL announced that Royal Challengers Bengaluru have signed Tim Seifert as a replacement for Jacob Bethell. The official statement confirmed that Seifert will be available for selection in the team from May 24.
According to a release shared by IPL, "Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have signed Tim Seifert as Jacob Bethell is set to leave from TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 for England on May 24, 2025 - following RCB’s league-stage game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 23, 2025 - to join the England team. The replacement will be effective from May 24, 2025."
Jacob Bethell Named in England’s ODI Squad for West Indies Series
Jacob Bethell has been named in England’s ODI squad for their three-match series starting on May 29 at Edgbaston. Bethell made his debut for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in place of the injured Phil Salt.
The left-handed batter managed 12 runs in his first game against Delhi Capitals and followed it up with a 55-run knock. He hasn’t bowled yet in the tournament. RCB had acquired him for ₹2.60 crore at the IPL mega auction.
Meanwhile, RCB recently brought in Zimbabwean bowler Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Lungi Ngidi. Muzarabani will join the squad after a four-day Test in England. Phil Salt, Romario Shepherd, Liam Livingstone, Tim David, and Nuwan Thushara will be with the team for the rest of the season.
Tim Seifert Represented Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals in the IPL
Tim Seifert, who previously had stints with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Delhi Capitals (DC), has been signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹2 crore.
The New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter played just one match for KKR in 2021 and managed 24 runs across two innings for DC. He will be available for RCB’s final league match against Lucknow Super Giants on May 27.
Seifert has featured in 66 T20Is for New Zealand, amassing 1,540 runs at an average of 28, with a strike rate of 142.85 and ten fifties to his name.
RCB currently are second on the IPL 2025 points table with 17 points from 12 matches. If they win their last two games, they will secure a top-two finish and a spot in Qualifier 1. Pace bowling spearhead Josh Hazlewood is expected to rejoin the squad soon.
Also read: Yashasvi Jaiswal bids goodbye to Rajasthan Royals
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