Uncertainty Looms Over Australian Players' Return for IPL 2025
Aussie Cricketers' Participation in IPL 2025 Remains Unclear
As the IPL 2025 resumes on May 17th, questions linger regarding the return of Australian cricketers. This situation could spell disaster for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who are already facing challenges this season. With Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, potentially opting out of the remainder of the tournament due to the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, and the World Test Championship Final approaching on June 11th, SRH's prospects appear grim.
On Tuesday, Cricket Australia announced that the decision to return lies solely with the players. Neither SRH nor the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) can compel them to play. Cummins may prioritize the WTC Final over completing the IPL, which would be a significant setback for SRH, as they would lose a captain who has led them in 27 matches with a record of 12 victories, along with a key bowler who has taken 13 wickets in just 11 games this season.
The situation worsens for SRH with the possibility of Travis Head also missing the remaining matches. As a member of the WTC squad, he may choose to avoid injury before the crucial final. If he is unavailable, it would be a considerable blow to the team, especially with only three matches left before the season concludes on May 25.
Who might step up for SRH in this challenging time? Heinrich Klaasen could be the player to watch. Despite South Africa's participation in the WTC Final, Klaasen has not played a Test since last year, which may leave him eager to contribute to SRH's efforts. The pressing question remains: will he return to aid the team in their final push of the season?
SRH Full Squad
Also READ: Key players return as Australia announce squad for WTC Final
Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, Mohammad Shami, Harshal Patel, Ishan Kishan, Rahul Chahar, Adam Zampa, Atharva Taide, Abhinav Manohar, Simarjeet Singh, Zeeshan Ansari, Jaydev Unadkat, Brydon Carse, Kamindu Mendis, Aniket Verma, Eshan Malinga, Sachin Baby.