South Africa Players Exit IPL by May 25 for WTC Final Preparations

South African cricket players selected for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia are set to miss the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs due to scheduling conflicts. The IPL, initially scheduled to conclude by May 25, was suspended and rescheduled, pushing the playoffs and final into dates that clash with South Africa's WTC final preparations. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has maintained its stance that the players will return home by May 26 at the latest to prioritize the WTC final, with no extension granted despite requests from the IPL and BCCI. Eight key South African players, including Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Aiden Markram, are expected to leave the IPL early, impacting franchises vying for playoff spots. CSA officials, including head coach Shukri Conrad and director of cricket Enoch Nkwe, emphasized that national duty and adequate preparation time for the WTC final remain their top priorities. Ongoing discussions between CSA and BCCI aim to manage this transition, though CSA is firm on its deadline to ensure players are ready for the June 11 match at Lord’s.