With the battle for the IPL 2025 heating up, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have pulled off a strategic transfer by inking Zimbabwe pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani in place of South African pacer Lungi Ngidi, who will be out of action from May 26 for national commitments. Ngidi, who had been picked at the INR 1 Crore mark at the auction, played just one game this season with impressive figures of 3 for 30 against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings.

His premature exit comes as he is set to join South Africa's team for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, which is set to commence on June 11 at Lord's. Replacing Ngidi is Blessing Muzarabani, a lanky pacer who is famous for his bounce and ability to create unplayable angles with pace. Signed for INR 75 Lakh, Muzarabani finally makes his IPL debut after having been a net bowler for Lucknow Super Giants during the 2022 season.

Internationally, the 27-year-old has established a strong resume. He has played 12 Tests, 55 ODIs, and 70 T20Is for Zimbabwe, collecting 78 wickets in the shortest form. In total T20s, he has 127 wickets in 118 matches at a strike rate of 19.3 and an economy rate of 7.24. His recent form is noteworthy. Muzarabani claimed 9 wickets in Sylhet during Zimbabwe’s Test match against Bangladesh, earning the Player of the Match award for his efforts.

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Muzarabani's signing is significant as he becomes only the fifth Zimbabwean player to play in the IPL, after Tatenda Taibu (KKR, 2008) and Sikandar Raza (PBKS, recent years). Although Ray Price and Brendan Taylor were also selected earlier by the Mumbai Indians (2011) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2014), respectively, neither got much game time in the league.

With Josh Hazlewood in Australia right now with a shoulder problem and not likely to be back till later in the playoffs, RCB have had to roll their sleeves up. Muzarabani, whose bowling profile is similar to that of both Ngidi and Hazlewood, provides timely support to the franchise's overseas pace arsenal, particularly as games shift to possibly slower, high-pressure settings.

RCB, under the captaincy of Rajat Patidar in place of their usual skipper, are preparing to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 23 and Lucknow Super Giants on May 27 in their remaining league encounters. Having already qualified for the playoffs, the Bengaluru franchise will be fighting hard for a top-two position, which provides a second opportunity to make it to the final.