May 14,WTC: The final match of the World Test Championship (WTC) is to be played between Australia and South Africa at Lord’s from June 11 and due to this there is doubt over the players of these two countries playing in the remaining matches of IPL 2025. South Africa head coach Shukri Konrad has also given a statement on the availability of the players and he says that the national team players participating in the IPL should return home by May 26.
Problem arose due to the extension of the tournament
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) postponed IPL 2025 by a week in view of the tension between India and Pakistan. The board recently released its revised schedule, according to which the tournament will start from May 17 and its final will be played on June 3. However, due to the extension of the tournament, the teams are facing difficulties in fulfilling international commitments. The biggest concern is for the players of Australia and South Africa.
Coach clarified his stance
On the extension of the IPL season, Konrad said, ‘The initial agreement with the IPL and BCCI was that the players would return on May 26 after the final on May 25. Nothing has changed from our point of view, the same talks are going on. As it is now, we want our players to return by the 26th.’ Cricket South Africa has announced the team for the WTC final and it is believed that all the players have to reach England by May 31. Players not playing in the IPL will reach by May 30, while players playing in the IPL will have to leave the franchise before the playoffs.
Many players included in the South Africa team for the WTC final are those who are playing in the IPL. Of these, seven players’ teams remain in the playoff race, including Corbin Bosch and Ryan Rickleton (Mumbai Indians), Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans), Tristan Stubbs (Delhi Capitals), Aiden Markram (Lucknow Super Giants), Marco Jansen (Punjab Kings), Lungi Ngidi (RCB) and Wiaan Mulder (Sunrisers Hyderabad).
Players will have to get a fresh NOC
These players were initially given a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the IPL until May 25, but the tournament’s extension means they will now need fresh approval to continue beyond that date. Given the importance of the WTC Final, Cricket South Africa is unlikely to give them an NOC. With just an eight-day gap between the IPL final and the start of the WTC Final, the South African management is focused on avoiding fatigue and ensuring preparation time for their big match against Australia.
Read More: South Africa’s WTC Dream Begins – Squad Announced!
