CSA Wants Players Back Before IPL Final Amid WTC Final Preparations

After a one-week break, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to resume on May 17, but Cricket South Africa (CSA) is firm on bringing back its players by May 26 to prepare for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia, scheduled from June 11 at Lord’s.

A total of 20 South African cricketers are part of the current IPL season, eight of whom have been named in the squad for the WTC Final. Originally, CSA and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had agreed that the IPL final would be held on May 25, allowing South African players to return by May 26. However, the IPL final has now been rescheduled to June 3, creating a conflict.

As per the No Objection Certificate (NOC) guidelines, South African players selected for the WTC Final are required to leave India by May 26, even if it means missing the IPL playoffs. Discussions are ongoing between CSA and BCCI regarding this matter.

The players expected to return by May 26 are:

• Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans)

• Lungi Ngidi (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

• Tristan Stubbs (Delhi Capitals)

• Aiden Markram (Lucknow Super Giants)

• Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch (Mumbai Indians)

• Marco Jansen (Punjab Kings)

• Wiaan Mulder (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

These players are expected to return to South Africa before joining the national squad for the UK trip on May 30.

Even before the playoffs begin, these players may miss one more IPL match to ensure they get adequate rest ahead of the WTC Final. Speaking after the squad announcement, South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad said from Johannesburg, "Our players will return on May 26 after the IPL, giving them enough time before we fly out on May 30."

The South African team will arrive in Arundel, England, on May 31, and play a four-day warm-up match against Zimbabwe from June 3–6—the same period as the IPL Final. After that, the team will head to London on June 7, with the WTC Final set to take place from June 11 to 15 at Lord’s.