South Africa Wants IPL Players Home by May 26: WTC Final Prep Takes Priority

May 14, 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa. CSA insists on player return deadline despite IPL schedule overruns. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has insisted that, even with a rescheduled league stage conclusion date of May 27, its players chosen for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final must return from the ongoing IPL 2025 by May 26.

Eight South African players currently involved in the IPL were named in the squad for the WTC final to be played at Lord's from June 11. These include Corbin Bosch, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, and Tristan Stubbs.

"The initial agreement with the IPL and the BCCI was with the final being on the (May) 25th, our players would return on the 26th so that it allows them ample time before we fly out on the 30th," said Proteas men's head coach Shukri Conrad on Tuesday (May 13). "As it stands, we're not budging on that. We want our players back on the 26th, and hopefully that comes to fruition."

The IPL was suspended for a week due to cross-border tensions, pushing the league stage end to May 27, with playoffs beginning May 29. However, CSA is clear about the timeline to ensure players acclimatise for the Test in English conditions.

Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe confirmed to Cricbuzz that discussions are ongoing. "We are still in discussions with IPL & BCCI," he said, echoing CSA's desire for a smooth release of their players.

The WTC-bound squad is expected to assemble in Arundel on May 31, ahead of a four-day warm-up fixture against Zimbabwe from June 3 to 6. The team will then move to London on June 7.

Notably, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are already out of playoff contention, and their final game on May 25 could mark a timely exit for Wiaan Mulder. Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG), captained by Aiden Markram, are also facing a steep road to qualification, which may ease CSA's timeline expectations.

Outside the WTC selection, CSA also has 12 other players spread across IPL franchises including Faf du Plessis, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen, Gerald Coetzee, and others.

As talks with the BCCI over the prompt release of their key red-ball players continue, CSA will be closely monitoring the IPL when it returns on May 17.