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"We Want Our Players Back": SA Coach's Clear Stance Makes Rabada And Co Doubtful For IPL 2025

Debashis Sarangi

Rabada and Rickelton have been picked for WTC final [Source: AP]Rabada and Rickelton have been picked for WTC final [Source: AP]

In a significant development, South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad has issued a strong statement regarding the IPL-bound players' return to the country for national assignments. Notably, the IPL 2025 is set to commence on May 17 after witnessing a brief suspension due to the India-Pakistan military conflict following the infamous Pahalgam terror attack. 

Conrad Urges South Africans To Link-up With National Side

The IPL 2025, which was supposed to conclude on May 25, has now been extended to June 3, owing to the abrupt suspension. 

However, eight South African IPL 2025 players have been picked for the World Test Championship final. They are expected to play a warm-up fixture against Zimbabwe from June 3 to 6 before taking on the Australians in the WTC final, starting on June 11. 

In such a scenario, South Africa's head coach Shukri Conrad has clarified that despite the tournament following an updated schedule, the IPL-bound players should oblige to the initial terms and conditions and return to their country on May 26. 

"The initial agreement with the IPL and the BCCI was with the final being on the 25th, our players would return on the 26th so that it allows them ample time before we fly out on the 30th. Nothing has changed from our perspective," South Africa Head coach Shukri Conrad said, as quoted by TOI. 
"That is the ongoing conversations that are being had between people in a higher pay grade than I am, i.e. the Director of Cricket (Enoch Nkwe) and Pholetsi Mosek (CSA CEO), so they're dealing with that. But as it stands, we're not budging on that, I don't think. We want our players back on the 26th, and hopefully that comes to fruition," he added. 

As per the revised IPL 2025 schedule, the group stage will conclude on May 27, with the four playoff matches being played between May 29 and June 3. 

Which Teams Will Suffer If South Africans Leave IPL 2025 Midway?

If South Africa's WTC-bound players withdraw from the remainder of IPL 2025, we won't see Tristan Stubbs (DC), Corbin Bosch (MI), Ryan Rickelton (MI), Kagiso Rabada (GT), Wiaan Mulder (SRH), Marco Jansen (PBKS), Aiden Markram (LSG) and Lungi Ngidi (RCB) further in the tournament. 

While SRH have already been eliminated, LSG still have some chance to qualify for the playoffs. However, the return of Bosch, Stubbs, Rickelton, Rabada, Ngidi and Jansen could certainly destabilise their respective teams. 

Dewald Brevis (CSK), Faf du Plessis (DC), Donovan Ferreira (RR), Gerald Coetzee (GT), Quinton de Kock (KKR), Anrich Nortje (KKR), David Miller (LSG), Matthew Breetzke (LSG), Nandre Burger (RR), Kwena Maphaka (RR), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (RR) and Heinrich Klaasen (SRH) are the other South African players in the IPL. 

However, as they aren't a part of the WTC final squad, these cricketers might feature in the tournament until their teams remain active.