West Indies Allows Players to Continue Playing in IPL 2025 During International Series

Cricket West Indies has decided to let its players continue playing in the remaining matches of IPL 2025, even during international series.

This decision is a big relief for IPL teams like Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are strong contenders for the playoffs and were worried about losing their key West Indies players.

Both Gujarat and Bangalore are expected to make it to the playoffs, and players like Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd are very important to them.

Out of the eight West Indies players currently in the IPL, only Rutherford, Shepherd, and Shamar Joseph were selected for West Indies’ upcoming series. However, the West Indies board has confirmed that Shamar Joseph will not return to the IPL.

For the tour of Ireland, John Campbell will replace Rutherford, and Jediah Blades will replace Shepherd. Shimron Hetmyer is expected to return to the West Indies squad for the England series.

West Indies will play three ODIs against Ireland on May 21, 23, and 25, followed by three ODIs against England on May 29, June 1, and 3. The T20 series will begin on June 6, by which time the IPL will already be over.

The West Indies board said it is working closely with the BCCI and IPL franchises and is giving top priority to player safety.

Other West Indies players in the IPL include Nicholas Pooran (Lucknow), Andre Russell and Sunil Narine (Kolkata), and Shimron Hetmyer (Rajasthan) — all of whom are likely to play in the remaining IPL matches.