Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have roped in New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert as a alternative for England’s Jacob Bethell, who is ready to depart the IPL 2025 forward of the playoffs stage to affix the nationwide aspect for the upcoming white-ball sequence towards the West Indies. The batting all-rounder will depart from India on Might 24, a day after RCB’s league-stage conflict towards Sunrisers Hyderabad in Lucknow.
Bethell has been named in England’s ODI and T20I squads for his or her dwelling sequence towards the West Indies. His final look for RCB shall be on Might 23, after which he’ll fly again to the UK to organize for the primary ODI at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Might 29. Bethell’s exit will add to the record of gamers RCB will miss throughout the playoffs. Notably, Bethell’s England teammate Phil Salt, who can also be a part of the T20I squad for a similar sequence, shall be obtainable until the ultimate on June 3, provided that RCB make it that far.
Seifert, who has beforehand had the expertise of enjoying for Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders, and has performed simply three matches throughout two seasons, scoring 26 runs. The Kiwi batter has performed 66 T20Is, scoring 1,540 runs at a strike charge of 142.85, and has additionally featured in over 262 T20 matches globally. Seifert has been signed for INR 2 crore and is anticipated to slot in RCB’s center order if required.
In the meantime, South African pacer Lungisani Ngidi will even be unavailable for the playoffs as he joins South Africa’s squad for preparations forward of the World Check Championship (WTC) remaining towards Australia, starting June 11 on the Lord’s. The franchise had named Blessing Muzarabani of Zimbabwe as Ngidi’s alternative, efficient from Might 26. Moreover, RCB’s ace pacer Josh Hazlewood has been named in Australia’s WTC Ultimate squad, however hasn’t but arrived in India. The aspect hasn’t but official introduced about his unavailability.
The Rajat Patidar-led aspect are in a robust place, with 17 factors from 12 matches, and sits at second place. Having already certified for the playoffs, the aspect would want to win their remaining two fixtures, towards Sunrisers Hyderabad (Might 23) and Lucknow Tremendous Giants (Might 27), for a top-two end, giving them a direct shot on the remaining via Qualifier 1.