Blessing Muzarabani Replaces Injured Ngidi for IPL 2025 Playoffs
RCB confirmed Lungi Ngidi will miss IPL 2025 playoffs due to national duty. Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani, with 127 wickets in 118 T20s at a 19.3 strike rate and 7.24 economy, replaces him. Muzarabani joins from May 26. Ngidi took 3/30 in RCB’s win over CSK and remains available for one more home game.
In the latest development ahead of the IPL 2025 playoffs, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have confirmed that South African pacer Lungi Ngidi will be unavailable due to national duties. Zimbabwe’s 6’8” tall pacer Blessing Muzarabani has been named as his replacement and will be eligible to play from May 26. Ngidi had recently delivered a match-winning performance against Chennai Super Kings, taking 3 wickets for 30 runs and playing a key role in defending a total of 213 runs in a narrow two-run victory.
🔊 𝑶𝑭𝑭𝑰𝑪𝑰𝑨𝑳 𝑨𝑵𝑵𝑶𝑼𝑵𝑪𝑬𝑴𝑬𝑵𝑻 🔊
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 19, 2025
6 feet 8 inches tall, 28 year old Zimbabwean speedster – 𝗕𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝘂𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗶 has been announced as RCB’s temporary replacement for Lungi Ngidi who returns to South Africa on the 26th! Lungi continues to be… pic.twitter.com/vn5GBSPShi
Despite Ngidi’s upcoming departure, RCB confirmed he will still be available for their next home game. Muzarabani, a seasoned international bowler, has claimed 127 wickets in 118 T20 matches with a strike rate of 19.3 and an economy of 7.24, and is expected to strengthen the bowling attack in the absence of Josh Hazlewood.
RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, has already secured a playoff spot and will play crucial matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants on May 23 and 27 respectively. With the tournament’s schedule disruption and overseas player exits due to international commitments, RCB aims to finish in the top two by winning their remaining games.
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