As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 resumes on May 17 following a temporary suspension due to the Indo-Pak conflict, there is renewed focus on which overseas players will rejoin their teams and who will not.
While most players are expected to return, some will be absent due to national commitments or security concerns. Here’s a detailed update.
Players Returning to IPL 2025
Most overseas players are set to rejoin their IPL franchises for the remainder of the tournament, ensuring that the competition regains its full strength.
Confirmed Returnees:
- Jos Buttler (England) – Will return to the Gujarat Titans for the upcoming fixtures.
- Gerald Coetzee (South Africa) – Also set to rejoin the Gujarat Titans.
- Will Jacks (England) – Expected to be available for the group stage before departing for international duty.
- Romario Shepard (RCB): He might return to play for the West Indies team before the playoffs.
- Other Overseas Players – The majority are on track to return, with full squads likely to be restored for most teams.
- South African Players: The players who are in the WTC Squad and IPL have returned except Rabada, but that player will fly back to South Africa after May 26.
- Travis Head and Pat Cummins will play their remaining matches for SRH even though they are out of the tournament. Sunrisers Hyderabad’s last match is on 23 May.
Pat Cummins And Travis, Head Managers, said that they will play the IPL, which is quite surprising because SRH is already out, and they are still committed to their team, but the confirmation from the players and Australian Board has not come yet.@patcummins30 @TravisHead24
— Gulshan Kumar (@gulshanvj2) May 14, 2025
Sources indicate that franchises have coordinated closely with national boards to ensure player availability wherever possible.
Players Not Returning to IPL 2025 Or Might Go Back Before Playoffs
While most players are expected back, a few will be missing due to prior national commitments or lingering concerns over regional stability following the recent Indo-Pak conflict.
England Players Departing Early
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has asked its players to return by May 25 to prepare for the ODI series against the West Indies, starting May 29. This directive affects:
- Jos Buttler
- Will Jacks
South African Players
Players selected for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia, scheduled to start on June 11, are expected to miss the IPL playoffs. Final squad announcements will determine the exact absentees.
Australian Players
Some Australian players, including Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, may opt not to return due to safety concerns following the military tensions between India and Pakistan. While not all have confirmed their decisions, the Australian board has supported players making individual calls.
Revised IPL 2025 Schedule Highlights
- Resumption Date: May 17, 2025
- Final Match: June 3, 2025
- Venues: Matches will be played across six cities, including Bengaluru, Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Lucknow
Also Read: IPL 2025 Resumes From 17 May, 2025: Full Schedule, Playoff Dates and Final Match Date.
The league’s return marks a significant step in restoring normalcy in the cricketing calendar, and fans can expect a thrilling run to the final, even with a few high-profile absences.
