The Indian Premier League (IPL) will be starting again from May 17 after suspension due to India-Pakistan war tensions, but one biggest factor of concern is the participation of overseas players. Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings are in big dilemma as there are overseas players who have national duty while others have WTC Final lined up.
Gujarat Titans
Jos Buttler and Gerald Coetzee will join back according to ESPNCricinfo they left India after IPL suspension while other players like Rashid Khan, Sherfane Rutherford, Kagiso Rabada and Karim Janat stayed in India. These players will likely be seen in the remaining part of IPL 2025.
There is a possibility that Sherfane Rutherford and Jos Buttler might have to leave because both of them have been announced as captains in ODI series between England and West Indies which will start from May 29 to June 3.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
The RCB team is under big trouble as there is still no confirmation regarding the overseas players. Jacob Bethell has been named in the England squad for ODI series against West Indies and Romario Shepherd will also play that series and has been included in the West Indies squad. Josh Hazlewood is already going through a shoulder niggle and is likely to be unavailable as he would want to regain full fitness for WTC final. According to ESPNCricinfo Lungi Ngidi is likely to remain unavailable due to WTC Final.
Punjab Kings
Overseas players Azmatullah Omarzai, Xavier Bartlett and Mitchell Owen have confirmed that they will be returning to India for the remaining IPL. According to ESPNCricinfo there is no confirmation regarding Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Aaron Hardie and Josh Inglis.
It is also important to note that Marco Jansen and Josh Inglis have been named in the South Africa squad for WTC Final which will start from June 11.
