As IPL 2025 gets ready to roar back to life on May 17, cricket fans have a lot to cheer for! Despite recent disruptions due to border tensions, most overseas players are all set to rejoin their franchises for the final stretch of the league. With just a few exceptions, teams will once again be at full strength, and the action promises to be electric.
Pat Cummins, Travis Head Confirm Return for SRH
Leading the way is Pat Cummins, captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Although SRH are out of playoff contention, Cummins and his teammate Travis Head have confirmed their return for the last two league matches. The team will face Lucknow Super Giants on May 19 and Kolkata Knight Riders on May 25 before heading home for their preparations for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final on June 11.
Aussies Divided: Some Return, Some Stay Back
Cricket Australia (CA) is allowing players to make personal decisions regarding their IPL 2025 return. While Cummins and Head are on board, others like Glenn Maxwell and Josh Hazlewood will miss the rest of the season due to injuries. Mitchell Starc’s return remains uncertain, as he and some teammates were reportedly unsettled by recent travel chaos following a game suspension in Dharamsala.
Jake Fraser-McGurk from Delhi Capitals (DC) is also unlikely to come back, citing mental stress. However, DC fans can still look forward to seeing Faf du Plessis and Tristan Stubbs, who are expected to return and help DC in their bid to reach the playoffs.
Full Strength for Gujarat Titans and Others
Gujarat Titans (GT) are among the few teams with confirmed availability of all their overseas players. Key South African stars like Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetzee will be present for the remaining matches. With GT in a strong position to qualify for the playoffs, this is great news for their supporters.
In other camps, Jos Buttler is flying back to rejoin Rajasthan Royals, and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have received positive responses from most of their overseas squad, including Devon Conway. The return of Rachin Ravindra, however, is still under doubt.
Mixed Signals from PBKS and RCB
Punjab Kings (PBKS) are awaiting final confirmation from Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis, who are both in the WTC final squad. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have ruled out Josh Hazlewood, but expect the rest of their overseas contingent, including Liam Livingstone, Lungi Ngidi, and Nuwan Thushara, to return.
Foreign Players Enjoying Mini Breaks
Interestingly, many non-Australian players spent their break vacationing in nearby destinations like Dubai, Singapore, and the Maldives. They are now expected to rejoin their squads in time for the league’s resumption. Teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) are tight-lipped about their players, possibly due to strategic considerations, but signs suggest that most squads will be back to full power soon.
Final Thoughts
With just days to go, IPL 2025 is gearing up for a thrilling comeback. The return of star international players adds immense value to the tournament and ensures fans will witness high-octane matches till the very end. While a few big names may remain absent, the show goes on – and it’s bound to be spectacular!
Stay tuned to innings360.com for more IPL 2025 updates, team news, and match previews as the league builds towards a blockbuster finish.
