Blessing Muzarabani Replaces Lungi Ngidi In RCB For IPL 2025 Playoffs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have signed Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for South African pacer Lungi Ngidi. Ngidi, who is named in South Africa’s WTC 2025 final squad, will not be available for the IPL 2025 playoffs for RCB.

After a week-long suspension, the 18th season of the Indian Premier League resumed on May 17. Some foreign players, many of whom have international commitments during the 2025 Indian Premier League, were forced to miss games due to the rearranged schedule. This has affected several teams' prospects of making it to the tournament's playoffs.

Rain forced the cancellation of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's most recent IPL 2025 match vs Kolkata Knight Riders. On May 23 and May 27, respectively, the Rajat Patidar-led side will play two pivotal matches against the SunRisers Hyderabad and the Lucknow Super Giants.

Blessing Muzarabani to Replace Lungi Ngidi for IPL 2025 Playoffs

The IPL declared on Monday, May 19, that Blessing Muzarabani had been selected by Royal Challengers Bengaluru to take Lungi Ngidi's spot. Ngidi will miss the playoffs in order to play for the South African national team, the statement continued. Starting on May 26, Muzarabani will be available for selection.

“Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), meanwhile, have picked Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Lungisani Ngidi, who will leave to join South Africa for national duties. The replacement will be effective from May 26, 2025," the IPL statement read.

Ngidi was instrumental in RCB's most recent victory over the Chennai Super Kings. He entered the playing XI in place of Josh Hazlewood, who was injured. The bowler helped RCB successfully defend a goal of 213 and win by a slim margin of two runs after taking three wickets for 30 runs in his four overs.

Lungi Ngidi to be available for our next home game – RCB

Blessing Muzarabani, a temporary substitute for Lungi Ngidi, was welcomed by RCB on their official social media site X, formerly known as Twitter. Before his departure, Ngidi is available for their next home game.

"🔊 𝑶𝑭𝑭𝑰𝑪𝑰𝑨𝑳 𝑨𝑵𝑵𝑶𝑼𝑵𝑪𝑬𝑴𝑬𝑵𝑻 🔊 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 available for our next home game. Welcome to #ನಮ್ಮRCB, Blessing! 🙌"

🔊 𝑶𝑭𝑭𝑰𝑪𝑰𝑨𝑳 𝑨𝑵𝑵𝑶𝑼𝑵𝑪𝑬𝑴𝑬𝑵𝑻 🔊

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

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 19, 2025

Muzarabani has been key to Zimbabwe's success off-late

Blessing Muzarabani has been an important member of Zimbabwe. With an outstanding strike rate of 19.3 and an economy of 7.24, Muzarabani has claimed 127 wickets in 118 Twenty20 outings.

Due to Josh Hazlewood's injury, Muzarabani is anticipated to bolster RCB's bowling assault. With a playoff spot already guaranteed, RCB wants to place in the top two by winning their remaining games under Patidar's direction.

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