As IPL 2025 is reaching its final stages, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have added punch to their bowling unit by signing Zimbabwe right-arm pacer Blessing Muzarabani in place of Lungi Ngidi. The South African seamer will leave the tournament on May 26 to be with his nation's team ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, which will begin on June 11 at Lord's.

Ngidi, who was recruited by RCB at INR 1 Crore, played a single game this season but left a big impression with 3 for 30 against Chennai Super Kings. His premature exit has seen RCB recruit a tall, back-of-the-hand right-arm pacer in Muzarabani, who has been acquired at INR 75 Lakh.

Muzarabani Gets Long-Awaited IPL Opportunity

Although still to play in an IPL match, Blessing Muzarabani has in the past known the league setup from his stint as a practice bowler for Lucknow Super Giants in the 2022 season. Currently at the age of 28, the lanky Zimbabwean pacer is poised to make his formal IPL debut with Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the decisive latter part of the 2025 tournament. He is recognized for his bounce, precision, and capacity to create rhythm, and Muzarabani has immense global experience, having represented Zimbabwe in 12 Tests, 55 ODIs, and 70 T20Is.

In T20 Internationals, he has taken 78 wickets, and his entire T20 career consists of 127 wickets off 118 matches at a magnificent strike rate of 19.3 and an economy rate of 7.24. He has three four-wicket performances to his credit, with a best of 4/23. Muzarabani has also performed well in the longer versions of the game, taking 97 wickets in 27 first-class matches at a best of 5/49 and an average of 25.8. His recent nine-wicket stand against Bangladesh in a Test match in Sylhet, which bagged him the Player of the Match award, further cemented his form and readiness to deliver on the largest stage in franchise cricket.

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Fifth Zimbabwean to Play in the IPL

With this signing, Muzarabani is only the fifth Zimbabwean cricketer to play in the IPL:

• Tatenda Taibu – Kolkata Knight Riders (2008)
• Ray Price – Mumbai Indians (2011)
• Brendan Taylor – Picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad (2014), but didn't play
• Sikandar Raza – Punjab Kings (2024)
• Blessing Muzarabani – Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2025)

Although Taylor and Price had limited opportunities, Taibu and Raza paved the way for Zimbabwean representation in the IPL. Muzarabani’s inclusion extends that legacy.

RCB’s Bowling Challenges and Muzarabani’s Playoff Opportunity

RCB's foreign bowling resources have been stretched, particularly with Josh Hazlewood to recuperate from a shoulder problem in Australia and not likely to become available till toward the end of the playoffs. Muzarabani, whose bowling action is the same as that of both Ngidi and Hazlewood, is the intelligent selection for RCB's strategic designs going into tight games.

RCB, led by their captain Rajat Patidar now, have Sunrisers Hyderabad to play on May 23 and Lucknow Super Giants on May 27 in their remaining league games. Having already secured a playoff place, the team is now focusing on a top-two finish so that they can get a second opportunity to reach the final.

A long, talented fast bowler with increasing international credentials, Blessing Muzarabani is more than a late-season addition to RCB's roster, he's a potentially crucial piece of their playoff puzzle. With bounce, control, and recent success on his side, the Zimbabwean paceman can make his presence felt on the largest platform in franchise cricket.