On Thursday, May 15, two days ahead of the resumption of 18th edition of IPL, there are reports that Cricket South Africa (CSA) has asked its players to return to the country by May 27 to prepare for the all-important WTC final against Australia at the Lord's Stadium on June 11.
Notably, IPL was set to end on May 25, but the league was pushed back by a week because of the cross-border tensions. However, now the ceasefire has been announced and the league will end on June 3. Earlier, the Cricket South Africa had provided the NOC's to their players for just May 25. However, with the league getting postpones, CSA has asked its players to return, which means that they won't play the playoffs which begins from May 29.
Meanwhile, this article will shed light on three IPL teams that would be affected the most by the absence of South Africa players in playoffs.
1.Delhi Capitals
Talking about Delhi Capitals, the Axar Patel-led side are placed fifth on the table with 13 points in 11 matches. They are a win away from entering the top four. It is worth noting that DC have three South Africa stars in their squad - Faf du Plessis, Donovon Ferreira, and Tristan Stubbs.
While Faf and Ferriera are not a part of South Africa's WTC squad, Stubbs will leave the Delhi squad for the playoffs and it would be a big blow for the Capitals. Notably, Stubbs has done well for the Capitals with the bat and pulled them out of the slump on several occasions in the ongoing season and his absence will be felt by Delhi if they reach the playoffs.
Talking about Stubbs' stats, he has amassed 259 runs in 10 innings, averaging 51. 80. Lets look at his detailed stats.
Criteria
Data
Innings
10
Runs
259
Average
51.80
50/100
0/0
2.Gujarat Titans
Kagiso Rabada has had a controversial season as the right-arm seamer left the season midway due to personal reasons, which was later found out to be a drug-abuse case, where Rabada was found guilty of consuming cocaine earlier this year.
It led to a month-long ban, which the Proteas seamer has served and his return would have enhanced GT squad, which already are placed top of the table with 16 points in 11 games. However, Gujarat will miss Kagiso as the right-arm seamer will miss the playoffs because of international duty.
Talking about his IPL 2025 season, the South Africa pace battery has taken just 2 wickets in two matches. Lets look at his detailed stats.
Criteria
Data
Innings
2
Wicket
2
Economy
10.38
3.Punjab Kings
Another team to take a major hit because of South Africa stars leaving is Punjab Kings. Notably, the Shreyas Iyer-led side are placed third on the table with 15 points in 11 points. However, Marco Jansen continues to be a key player for the Kings and his absence will definitely hurt Punjab.
Jansen, not only has contributed in the field, but he has been of great help with the bat and a live wire on the field. Thus, his all-round ability add a lot to PBKS's ability and speaks volume of their success in the ongoing tournament.
Talking about his performance in IPL 2025, he has taken 11 wickets in 11 matches and scored 75 runs with the bat as well. Let's look at his detailed stats.
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Tristan Stubbs - (Source : @AP)
 "Abhinav Tyagi")
