Cricket South Africa has stated that it wants WTC final-bound players to return from IPL 2025 on May 26. Eight out of 20 Proteas players have been named in the Test squad and will have to leave the league mid-way to start practice for the WTC final.

Gujarat, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Punjab are among the teams that are likely to be affected.

Speaking at the press conference while unveiling the South Africa squad, head coach Shukri Conrad said that if the players return by May 26, they would have ample time to travel to the UK on May 30.

“The initial agreement with IPL-BCCI was, with the final being on the 25th, our players would return on the 26th, so that it allows them ample time before we fly out on the 30th,” Conrad said.

It is pertinent to point out that IPL 2025 was initially scheduled to concluded on May 25. However, a week’s suspension owing to the tensions between India and Pakistan has forced the league to be extended.

“That is the ongoing conversations that are being had between people in a higher pay grade than I am – the director of cricket (Nkwe) and Pholetsi (Moselki, the CSA chief executive). They’re dealing with that. We want our players back on the 26th and hopefully that comes to fruition.”

Meanwhile, High performance director Enoch Nkwe has said that the player’s individual decision if they want to continue playing in IPL after May 25, but the team is firm on sticking to its original plan when it comes to preparations for the WTC final.

“It is an individual decision, obviously, to return or to play or continue,” Nkwe said.

“But one thing we’ve made it clear, and we are finalising that with IPL and BCCI, is sticking to our original plan when it comes to the WTC preparations. Obviously, with May 26 being the latest for the Test guys to come back.“

South Africa Squad for WTC finals 2025: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Kyle Verreynne (WC), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson