As IPL 2025 gets ready to restart, there's a lot of buzz about which overseas stars are returning and who’s set to miss the playoffs. Injuries, national duties, and scheduling conflicts have shaken up team combinations. Here's a clear team-by-team breakdown of player availability and what fans can expect as the league heads into its final stretch.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
Available: Jos Buttler, Gerald Coetzee (both rejoining on Wednesday)
To Miss Playoffs: Jos Buttler (leaves for England’s ODI series on May 29)
GT are on top of the points table and almost sure to reach the playoffs.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
To Miss Playoffs:Lungi Ngidi (part of South Africa’s WTC squad)
Doubtful: Josh Hazlewood (shoulder injury)
Mumbai Indians (MI)
To Miss Playoffs: Jacob Bethell (England ODI squad), Corbin Bosch, Ryan Rickelton (WTC-bound), Will Jacks (called up by England)
Available: Mujeeb Ur Rahman (joins for last 3 matches)
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Available: Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana
Unclear: Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway (awaiting travel updates)
CSK is out of playoff race; return of overseas players will depend on coach’s decision.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
Available: Dushmantha Chameera (set to rejoin)
To Miss Playoffs: Tristan Stubbs (WTC duty)
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Available: Xavier Bartlett, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mitchell Owen
To Miss Playoffs: Marco Jansen (in WTC squad)
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Available: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Rovman Powell (arriving from Dubai)Rahmanullah Gurbaz (joining in Dubai), Anrich Nortje (joining from Maldives)
Awaited: Moeen Ali (UK), Spencer Johnson (Australia)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Available: Pat Cummins, Travis Head (confirmed return)
To Miss Playoffs: Wiaan Mulder (WTC squad)
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Available: Matthew Breetzke (batter), Lance Klusener (assistant coach)
To Miss Playoffs: Aiden Markram (WTC squad)
Players with National Duty
England players (Buttler, Jacks, Bethell): Will leave IPL by May 29 for ODI series vs West Indies.
South Africa players (Rabada, Markram, Stubbs, Ngidi, etc.): Need to join WTC squad in England by May 31; NOCs run till May 25.
Australia’s Josh Hazlewood: Fitness unclear.
Other returnees: Players like Cummins, Head, and Mujeeb are back for the final stretch.
