IPL 2025 Resumes On May 17: List Of Overseas Players Likely To Return

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to resume on May 17 following a brief pause due to growing political tensions between India and Pakistan.

The franchise tournament was suspended after escalating tension between the two neighbours following India’s 'Operation Sindoor' to avenge the Pahalgam terrorist attack last month, in which 26 civilians were killed.

As both countries have now agreed to a ceasefire, the BCCI on Monday night unveiled a revised schedule for the remainder of IPL 2025.

The rest of the matches will be played across six venues in Bengaluru, Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, with the final scheduled for June 3. 

There, however, remains a doubt about the availability of foreign players, who returned to their homelands amid cross-border turbulence. Many of them might not be able to return to play the remaining matches due to international commitments.

The situation is tricky for England and West Indies cricketers, slated to clash in a white-ball series from May 29. Members of the Australian and South African Test teams are also likely to focus on the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) Final. 

RCB might miss the service of Lungi Ngidi (South Africa) – due to international commitments. The availability of Josh Hazlewood (Australia) is also doubtful.

Phil Salt, and Liam Livingstone, however, are likely to continue till the end of the season as the duo is not part of England’s white-ball squad. 

As per ESPNcricinfo, Romario Shepherd has joined the RCB squad, but since he's a part of the West Indies' ODI squad for the series against England, it is unknown whether he'll leave early or stay back till the end of the season.

Jacob Bethell also landed in India on Thursday and will be available for the team's next two league games.

Mumbai Indians are expected to have all of their foreign players at least in the league stage. Will Jacks and Corbin Bosch might leave India ahead of the playoffs. Afghan spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman will also remain available for the rest of IPL 2025. 

Except for Jos Buttler and Gerald Coetzee, all of the international players of GT stayed back in India despite the suspension. While Buttler is set to miss the remainder of the season, Coatzee will be joining the Gujarat Titans squad soon. Kagiso Rabada will play the remaining league games, but his participation in the playoffs remains doubtful. 

SRH have already crashed out of the playoff race. Australian stars Pat Cummins and Travis Head, and South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen, however, have decided to rejoin the squad. Sri Lankan duo– Kamindu Mendis and Eshan Malinga will also be available for the remaining league games. 

DC is likely to face a huge setback as their new-ball specialist, Mitchell Starc, is unlikely to return for the remainder of the IPL. The franchise has signed Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for the Aussie pacer. Opener Jake Fraser-McGurk has also withdrawn, but the other overseas players will be available. 

CSK should have Noor Ahmad, Dewald Brewis, Matheesha Pathirana and Devon Conway back in the team. Rachin Ravidra, however, has yet to make his final decision. Jamie Overton might not play for his commitments with the England team, but Sam Curran will be available. 

The franchise remains unsure about the availability of Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, and Aaron Hardie. Four foreign players– Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Azmatullah Omarzai and Mitchell Owen– have already confirmed their decisions to rejoin PBKS, as per ESPNCricinfo. 

KKR might not miss any of their overseas recruits as Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Rovman Powell, Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz all are likely to be available for the rest of the season. Moeen Ali and Spencer Johnson have yet to clear their stance. 

England pacer Jofra Archer is set to miss RR's last two games as he is recovering from an injury. Shimron Hetmyer and Wanindu Hasaranga are set to join the squad on Thursday.

South African cricketers Kwena Maphaka and Lhuan-dre Pretorius are already in Jaipur.

All of the overseas players of LSG, barring Aiden Markram, will be available for the rest of the IPL.