Delhi: Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians have qualified for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 playoffs. However, before the playoff matches, all the teams will have to make significant changes in their playing eleven, as many foreign players have left the tournament and returned to their country due to national duties. The first IPL 2025 schedule was to end with the match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on 25 May, but BCCI had to postpone the tournament for a week due to increasing tension along the India-Pakistan border. Due to this, the playoff program has been changed.
Now the qualifier-1 match of IPL 2025 will be played on May 29 between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Mohali. After this, on May 30, the eliminator match will be held on this ground between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians. Qualifier 2 will be played in Ahmedabad on 1 June, while the final match will be held on June 3 in the same ground.
Due to the postponement of the tournament for a week, many foreign players have to return to the national team, which has weakened the teams. Mumbai Indians have suffered the biggest setback at this phase, as their three major foreign players – Will Jacks, Corbin Bosch and Ryan Recelton – will not be available in the playoffs. However, the franchise has announced new players in their place. Chariith Asanka and Richard Glison have been replaced by Jacques and Bosch, while England’s Johnny Bairstow will replace Ryan Rechelton.
Royal Challengers Bangalore will also miss two foreign players. South African fast bowler Lungi Angidi and England batsman Jacob Bethel are also out of the playoffs. RCB has included Blessing Muzarbani and Tim Cifrt in the team in their place. The team of Gujarat Titans will also face the absence of two players. Kagiso Rabada and Jose Butler will not be able to play due to national duty. Kusal Mendis has been included in the team in place of Butler.
Punjab Kings will miss only one player, as South African all -rounder Marco Yanseen will also not be with the team in the playoffs. However, Punjab Kings have not yet announced any player in their place.
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(Tagstotranslate) IPL 2025