As the IPL 2025 playoffs heat up, several top franchises face major setbacks with key foreign players unavailable due to international duties and injuries. Teams like Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have qualified for the playoffs, but will miss some of their overseas stars when it matters the most.
Here’s a team-wise breakdown of players not available from playoff matches in IPL 2025 for their teams , along with their replacements, stats, and impact.
List of players not available from playoff matches in IPL 2025 for all qualified teams
🔵 Gujarat Titans (GT)
Unavailable Foreign Players:
- Jos Buttler (England)
- Reason: Recalled for England’s international series vs West Indies
- IPL Debut: 2016
- IPL 2025 Salary: ₹8.5 Cr
- IPL Career Stats: 100+ matches, 3000+ runs, SR: 145+
- Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)
- Reason: Unavailable due to personal commitments
- IPL Debut: 2017
- IPL 2025 Salary: ₹9.25 Cr
- IPL Career Stats: 100+ wickets in 70+ matches
- Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)
- Reason: Ruled out with groin injury
- IPL Debut: 2021
- IPL 2025 Salary: ₹1.5 Cr
Replacements:
- ✅ Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka) for Glenn Phillips
- Experience: Former Sri Lanka captain, known for finishing games
- IPL Career Stats: 20+ matches, 250+ runs, handy with ball
Impact:
GT will sorely miss both Buttler’s explosive starts and Rabada’s powerplay/death bowling prowess.
🔵 Mumbai Indians (MI)
Unavailable Foreign Players:
- Will Jacks (England) – Called for national duty
- Corbin Bosch (South Africa) – Unavailable (unspecified)
- Ryan Rickelton (South Africa) – Called for national duty
Replacements:
- ✅ Jonny Bairstow for Will Jacks
- Role: Explosive top-order batter & backup keeper
- IPL Stats: 700+ runs, SR: 140+
- ✅ Charith Asalanka for Corbin Bosch
- Role: Middle-order stabilizer, spin-hitter
- T20I SR: 130+
- ✅ Richard Gleeson for Ryan Rickelton
- Role: Fast bowler, death-overs specialist
Impact:
The replacements are experienced but MI’s unit will feel the absence of consistent performers like Jacks and Rickelton.
🔴 Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Unavailable Foreign Players:
- Marco Jansen (South Africa)
- Reason: Both recalled for South Africa’s national squad for WTC Final preparations
Replacements:
❌ As of May 22, 2025, no official replacements announced.
Impact:
PBKS loses two key pacers just when bowling depth matters most in pressure playoff matches.
🔴 Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Unavailable Foreign Player:
- Jacob Bethell (England)
- Reason: Selected for England’s white-ball series
- Lungi Ngidi (South Africa)
- Reason: Preparation for the World Test Championship (WTC) final
Replacement:
- ✅ Tim Seifert (New Zealand)
- Role: Backup keeper-batter
- T20 Career: Over 2000 runs, SR: 135+
- ✅ Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe)
- Role: Pacer (temporary replacement for Ngidi)
- T20 Career: 78 wickets in International T20 matches
Impact:
RCB had been using Bethell as a middle-order floater. Seifert brings more experience but hasn’t played much in this IPL season.
Summary Table
| Team | Unavailable Players | Replacements |
|---|---|---|
| Gujarat Titans | Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, Glenn Phillips | Dasun Shanaka (for Phillips) |
| Mumbai Indians | Will Jacks, Corbin Bosch, Ryan Rickelton | Bairstow, Asalanka, Gleeson |
| Punjab Kings | Marco Jansen, | None Announced |
| RCB | Jacob Bethell, Lungi Ngidi | Tim Seifert, Blessing Muzarabani |
Final Thoughts
With the IPL 2025 playoffs approaching their climax, team strategies will be tested without their first-choice foreign stars. The replacements bring hope, but it’s never easy to plug such impactful gaps mid-tournament.
Sources: IPL Official Site
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