We have entered the last league stage game in the IPL 2025, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru are playing against Lucknow Super Giants. In this fixture, RCB are playing without their foreign cricketers Tim David and Lungi Ngidi. Here are the reasons for their absence in the game. 

Once again, Jitesh Sharma has been chosen to lead the RCB team, while the regular skipper Rajat Patidar is in the list of Impact Sub. Australian cricketer Tim David and South African pacer Lungi Ngidi are not playing this match, and both these absences aren't shocking. English all-rounder Liam Livingstone replaced David, and Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara is playing as a replacement for Ngidi. 

Why is Tim David not playing?

In their previous game against SunRisers Hyderabad, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru suffered a 42-run defeat, David suffered a hamstring injury. During the final over of the SRH innings, David was injured while saving a boundary. Although David later came to bat at no.8, he was dismissed for one run in five balls.

The franchise is now waiting for his fitness status, especially whether he can be available for the Playoffs or not. If he fails to improve his fitness, we may see another special temporary replacement in the team.  

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Why is Lungi Ngidi not playing?

On the other hand, Lungi Ngidi has left the franchise to join his national team. In the absence of Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, Ngidi served for RCB in two matches, where the right-arm fast bowler picked up three and one wickets, respectively. Zimbabwean pacer Blessing Muzarabani is the replacement for Ngidi in the franchise for the remainder of the season.     

The last league stage game of the IPL 2025 is a must-win match for RCB to secure a top-two finish in the points table, who are in the third position before the match with 17 points. RCB can even finish on top of the points table. 

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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Zimbabwean speedster adds depth to RCB’s injury-hit bowling line-up

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.

In a tense IPL 2025 clash between RCB and CSK, controversy erupted when Dewald Brevis was denied a DRS review after being adjudged LBW by the on-field umpire on the very first ball he faced from Lungi Ngidi. Although Brevis completed a run and signaled for a review afterward, the umpire rejected the appeal, citing a delay in the request. Ravindra Jadeja attempted to intervene on behalf of CSK, but the decision was upheld, leaving fans and commentators puzzled, especially after seeing replays that clearly showed the ball miss the stumps.

The problem arose through the strict 15 seconds allowed for the Decision Review to be signalled, which states that players must signal for a review within 15 seconds of the on-field decision, and Brevis was running and subsequently only put his appeal in after time was out. It was still within the CSK camp's rights to protest however, the umpires stood firm. There is no doubt that CSK had an opportunity to overturn what was clearly an incorrect decision, had Brevis had time to be able to signal for a review.

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The commentators discussed the events for a long enough time to allow them to highlight that Ngidi's delivery would most likely have been overturned if reviewed. The decision disappointed not only the CSK camp but also caused further discussions on social media as fans highlighted areas where players had obviously been given more time to signal of a review. The loser in this particular situation was CSK and even though the policy was not abused by RCB, it gradually created skepticism among CSK fans who thought that a club had received a heavy-handed instance on being dyslexic with the 'time' requirement from the DRS rule. Overall, the moment was a huge talking point from the match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Dewald Brevis was clearly not out
There was no clock timer for DRS

RCB fixers>>>>>>>>>>>

And they cry about MI fixing😭🤣#CSKvsRCB pic.twitter.com/swrt7UYaRc

— Bruce Wayne (@_Bruce__007) May 3, 2025

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings match Scorecard and Highlight

In a thrilling IPL 2025 match, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a close 2-run victory over the Chennai Super Kings. RCB scored an impressive 213/5 in their innings, with Virat Kohli (62 off 33) and Jacob Bethell (55 off 33) leading the charge. Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma made valuable contributions, while Tim David and Romario Shepherd finished things off. Matheesha Pathirana was the star performer for CSK, taking 3/36, while a wicket Sam Curran and Noor Ahmad took each in a high-scoring match at the Chinnaswamy.

Chennai Super Kings went close to themselves, putting up 211/5, helped by a brilliant innings where Ayush Mhatre scored 94 runs off 48 balls, and a fiery unbeaten 77 runs from Ravindra Jadeja. Lungi Ngidi was RCB's standout bowler, taking the crucial wickets of Mhatre and Sam Curran, among others, taking 3 wickets overall, while Krunal Pandya and Yash Dayal contributed a wicket each. With 13 needed in the final over, CSK's late push wasn’t enough, handing Bengaluru a crucial win in the tournament.

The 28-year-old South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the home summer due to a groin injury. 

After the conclusion of the ongoing home T20I series against India, South Africa will host Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series. Then Pakistan will tour South Africa for a three-match T20I series, a three-match ODI series, and a two-match Test series. 

Both the home Test series will be a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. Both Sri Lanka and South Africa are fighting to grab the spots for the Final of the ongoing WTC edition, which Lord’s will host in June 2025. The home Test series against Sri Lanka will begin on November 27, and South Africa will host the last Test against Pakistan from January 3. 

Lungi Ngidi can return to the game in January

According to the Cricket South Africa (CSA) press release, Lungi Ngidi recently had a medical assessment where the scans revealed bilateral proximal adductor tendinopathy. He is expected to return to the game in January 2025. So, he is likely to be fit for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which has been scheduled in February in Pakistan. 

Ngidi is one of the crucial names in the South African pace bowling line-up. Since his international cricket debut in January 2017, Ngidi has played 19 Tests, 62 ODIs, and 43 T20Is, where the right-arm pacer has taken 55, 96, and 63 wickets, respectively. 

During the first two editions of the ICC World Test Championship, Ngidi took 17 wickets in six games (2019-2021) and 19 wickets in seven Tests (2021-2023). In the ongoing WTC, Ngidi has played only two Tests and picked up four wickets. 

Temba Bavuma is developing positively

In the meantime, the Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma is positively developing his fitness. He missed out on the Test series against the hosts Bangladesh due to a left elbow injury. South Africa won the two-match Test series in the Bangladesh tour by 2-0 and added crucial points in the 2023-2025 ICC WTC points table.

Bavuma will undergo a fitness test on Monday (November 18), where the CSA will determine his chance to present in the upcoming home Test series against Sri Lanka. 

On Monday, July 8th, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced a 16-man squad for the upcoming two-Test series against the West Indies starting on August 7. Experienced batter Temba Bavuma will lead the South African cricket team.

South Africa’s red-ball coach, Shukri Conrad announced the squad for the Tests starting on August 7 in Trinidad. Bavuma will lead the team after missing a game against India earlier this year. Most of the main players, who skipped the New Zealand series due to SA20 commitments are back. Three players from the second string team that played against New Zealand are also retained.

David Bedingham, who is in great form in the County Championship keeps his spot. Pacers Dane Paterson and off-spinner Dane Piedt also stay in the team. Matthew Breetzke, who scored 322 runs at an average of 46 in the domestic competition, gets his first Test call up and may replace Dean Elgar as a backup batter. Tristan Stubbs also stays in the red-ball team.

Marco Jansen is rested to manage his workload, and with Anrich Nortje focusing on T20Is, Dane Paterson is retained as an extra fast bowler alongside Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, and Gerald Coetzee.

“We have one new face, Matthew Breetzke, selected for his excellent performance last season. Resting Marco Jansen is to ensure his physical and mental well-being,” said Conrad in X.

The rest of the squad remains largely the same, with Ryan Rickelton returning as the second wicketkeeper, while Keegan Petersen is left out.

South Africa squad for West Indies Tests

Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne

Preview

Ireland vs South Africa: After challenging New Zealand and India with a lot of effort, Ireland are in with another chance at finding a win against a big team. They take on South Africa, who they managed to get the better of in a game on South Africa’s last visit to the nation. This time around, South Africa are not going to be as easy. Their line-up is very settled, and each player knows what they need to do. Kagiso Rabada though is a concern for South Africa as his knee is facing some issues.

Ireland vs South Africa Head to Head

Played- 3 | Ireland- 0 | South Africa- 3 | No Result- 0

Match Details

Match: Ireland vs South Africa

Date: 3rd August 2022

Time: 11:00 PM PM IST

Venue: County Ground, Bristol

Weather Report

The weather seems ok during the Ireland vs South Africa game with mild chances of rain.

Pitch Report

The Bristol track is flat and good for batting. A lot of runs are likely and batting second is a better option. The square boundaries are a little bigger though and some spin is on offer. With big boundaries and a slower track, spinners will have a role to play.

Ireland vs South Africa Predicted Playing XI

Ireland Playing XI

Andy Balbairne(c), Stephen Doheny, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Paul Stirling, Goerge Dockrell, Simi Singh, Lorcan Tucker(wk), Craig Young, Josh Little, Mark Adnair

South Africa Playing XI

Quinton De Kock, Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram, Rassie Van Der Dussen, David Miller(c), Henrich Klaasan, Dwaine Pretorious, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi Anrich Nortje

Key Players

Lungi Ngidi

Lungi Ngidi has booked his place for the World Cup after warming the bench during the last T20 World Cup. He is in top form and is bringing out a wide range of variations. From bowling some deceiving slower balls, Lungi Ngidi can surprise batters with raw pace, and is a package to watch out for as he is growing into his role as attack leader in Rabada’s absence.

Andy Balbairne

Harry Tector and Josh Little have been in the spotlight a little too much, leaving less room for Balbairne. In the recent games though, Balbairne has done a pretty good job as well. He is getting crisp starts and setting the innings up nicely, allowing Ireland to move well around him.

See Also: England vs India 2nd ODI Match Prediction – Cricket Winner

Ireland vs South Africa Match Tips

Ireland are on the rise, but South Africa’s line-up looks very good. Each player knows their role and South Africa are easily one of the most fluent looking teams going around right now.

Match Prediction: South Africa will win the match.

South Africa hasn’t been at their best over the last few years, following the retirement of several greats. Despite the loss of some superstars though, South Africa are in a good position with their pace attack. They will be without Anrich Nortje for the Test series, but South Africa still has a good set of pacers, and each provide a new dimension to the attack.

Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada is the most recognizable member of the South African bowling attack, and has played 47 Tests at the young age of 26. He is easily the spearhead of the side, and his aggression, and attitude is what adds fire to South Africa’s bowling. Kagiso Rabada can bowl at high pace, and has a strong bouncer, and a pretty good yorker. He has recently developed a nice slower ball as well, and has had some nice battles with Virat Kohli, and Pujara in the past. Kagiso Rabada will also be chasing a milestone as he is nine wickets away from crossing Vernon Philander’s tally.

Lungi Ngidi

Lungi Ngidi made a strong start to his international career, when India visited in 2017. The last couple of years though has been tough for him. Frequent injuries and niggles has put Ngidi on the sidelines often, and even when fully fit, Ngidi struggles to find the rhythm to make himself a regular in all three formats. With his heigh, Ngidi can extract discomforting bounce, has a great wrist position, and decent pace. He isn’t as fast as the likes of Nortje or Rabada, but has enough to annoy a batter. Longer spells can be expected, as Ngidi tends to succeed when he finds his rhythm after bowling continuously.

Duanne Oliver

Duanne Oliver was once fighting for a spot with Dale Steyn, and was termed to be key member of the attack following Steyn’s retirement. Oliver however, signed a kolpak deal, and was one of the string of South African players who went to play in England. He is the first returnee among the group to be selected for Test Cricket in South Africa again. Back in the Test side, Oliver is now more experienced, and has some nice variety with an ability to bowl accurately in the full-length region, extracting decent movement. He has nice control over his bowling, and could help keep the runs down with an accurate line and length.

Marco Jensen

The last time India visited South Africa, Marco Jensen impressed Virat Kohli, and that helped him get a deal in the IPL earlier this year. He isn’t very experienced, but has the height, and could get the ball to bounce nicely. He is only 21 years, and could be the X-factor in the South African bowling line-up as he is an unknown quantity.

Beuran Hendricks

Beuran Hendricks is the fifth pacer in the side, and will mostly likely be used as injury cover. He has played one Test so far, but has loads of first-class experience. He can swing the ball nicely, doesn’t bowl too fast, but can control his line and length well to irritate the Indian batters.