As the IPL 2025 playoffs approach, the four qualified teams — Gujarat Titans (GT), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Mumbai Indians (MI) — are facing player unavailability issues due to international commitments such as the World Test Championship final, as well as injuries. To address this, franchises have named replacements to fill the gaps in these high-pressure matches.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
Gujarat Titans are missing two key players — England’s Jos Buttler and South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada. While Kusal Mendis has been brought in as a replacement for Buttler, no substitute has been named for Rabada, raising concerns about GT’s bowling depth during the playoffs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
RCB acted swiftly to address their gaps, replacing South African pacer Lungi Ngidi and England all-rounder Jacob Bethell with Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani and New Zealand’s Tim Seifert. These changes are aimed at maintaining their hopes of securing a maiden IPL title.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
PBKS have lost Marco Jansen to international duty, and no replacement has yet been announced. This uncertainty could affect their squad balance heading into the playoffs.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Mumbai Indians are the most affected team, with three key overseas players — Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton, and Corbin Bosch — unavailable. They have responded by signing Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka), Richard Gleeson (England), and Jonny Bairstow (England) as replacements.
With the stakes higher than ever this season, these replacement players could significantly impact the outcomes of the playoffs. Team management will now face the challenge of ensuring that the new recruits integrate quickly and perform under pressure.
List of Unavailable Players and Their Replacements
Gujarat Titans
Kagiso Rabada (SA) – No replacement
Jos Buttler (ENG) – Kusal Mendis
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Lungi Ngidi (SA) – Blessing Muzarabani
Jacob Bethell (ENG) – Tim Seifert
Punjab Kings
Marco Jansen (SA) – No replacement
Mumbai Indians
Will Jacks (ENG) – Charith Asalanka
Corbin Bosch (SA) – Richard Gleeson
Ryan Rickelton (SA) – Jonny Bairstow
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