IPL 2025: 3 Teams that will face a major impact due to Overseas players' non-availability

IPL 2025 is resuming on 17 May, and all teams are getting ready. But before the restart, many teams have suffered setbacks due to the unavailability of their overseas players. Some players are returning only for the remaining group-stage games as they have to join their national teams later. Others are not even willing to return.

As a result, several franchises have announced replacements. But how the absence of these key foreign players will impact the teams, especially those still in the race for the playoffs, remains to be seen.

Here are three teams that will face a major impact due to overseas players’ non-availability in IPL 2025:

Delhi Capitals (DC)

DC are currently in fifth place on the points table with 13 points from 11 games, and a net run rate of +0.362. With three league games left, they are still in the hunt for a playoff spot. But, according to a report in the Times of India, their star Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc might not return for the rest of the season. This has reportedly been communicated to the franchise.

In 11 matches, Starc has taken 14 wickets and has been a key player. So his absence will be a big blow. Another Aussie, Jake Fraser-McGurk, is also not returning due to personal reasons. DC have already named Bengali pacer Mustafizur Rahman as Fraser-McGurk’s replacement, and that might be a sign that DC have accepted that Starc won’t return either.

Gujarat Titans (GT)

GT are at the top of the table with 16 points from 11 games and a net run rate of +0.793. One of the main reasons behind their success is England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler. He has scored 500 runs in 11 matches at an average of 71.42 and a strike rate of 163.93, including five fifties.

But Buttler will not be available during the playoffs. He will play the last three group-stage games and then join the England squad for the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies. GT have picked Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis as Buttler’s replacement. The change will take effect from 26 May, after GT's last league match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on 25 May.

Mumbai Indians (MI)

MI are also in the race for the playoffs. They are currently fourth on the table with 14 points from 12 games and a net run rate of +1.156. However, they are set to face setbacks with the availability of three players: England’s Will Jacks, and South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch.

All three will be available for the last two league games, but are unlikely to play in the playoffs. Jacks will join the England squad for the ODI series against the West Indies. Both South African players are expected to return home by 27 May to prepare for the upcoming World Test Championship final against Australia, which starts on 11 June at Lord’s.

As quoted by ESPNcricinfo, MI are in advanced talks with Jonny Bairstow and Richard Gleeson to replace Jacks and Rickelton if they make the playoffs. Bairstow might be done as well, subject to a No-Object Certificate.

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