IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has signed Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani as a temporary replacement for South Africa's Lungi Ngidi, who will not be a part of the IPL 2025 playoffs for RCB.
Ngidi will leave the Indian Premier League (IPL) by May 26 to prepare for the World Test Championship (WTC) final between South Africa and Australia at Lord's. The final will be played from June 11-15. Meanwhile, Muzarabani, who is still uncapped in the IPL, will join he franchise for 75 lakhs for the remainder of the season.
RCB had their match against KKR washed out on May 17 when the season resumed. However, GT's win over DC on Sunday ensured that GT, along with RCB and PBKS, qualified for the IPL 2025 playoffs.
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Blessing Muzarabani Yet To Make His IPL Debut
Meanwhile, Ngidi will be available for RCB's clash against SRH on May 23. RCB's overseas pacer Josh Hazlewood is currently recovering from his shoulder niggle and is expected to be fit for the playoffs. Hazlewood will link up with the side ahead of the playoffs. He is also a part of the Australian Test side for the WTC 2025 final against South Africa.
Meanwhile, Blessing Muzarabani is the leading all-format pacer for Zimbabwe. He has played in 12 Tests, 55 ODIs and 70 T20Is for his country. The tall and lanky pacer has also picked up 78 T20I wickets for Zimbabwe.
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This is his second stint in the IPL after joining LSG as a net bowler in IPL 2022. He is yet to make his debut in the IPL and might do so in RCB's last two remaining games. He has previously played for Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Gulf Giants in the ILT20, and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
KKR Rope In Shivam Shukla As Temporary Replacement For Rovman Powell
Previously, KKR also signed up MP mystery spinner Shivam Shukla as a temporary replacement for Rovman Powell, who could not link up with the Knight Riders for the last leg of IPL 2025 due to medical reasons, along with Moeen Ali.
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