The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has roped in Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Lungi Ngidi for the upcoming IPL 2025 playoffs.
Bengaluru, who are currently positioned in the second spot of the IPL 2025 points table, will be missing Ngidi for the playoffs. The replacement will be effective from May 26 after Lungi Ngidi leaves to join the South Africa squad for the upcoming World Test Championship against Australia, beginning June 11 at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, along with Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings, has secured a spot in the playoffs.
Blessing Muzarabani has joined RCB for INR 75 Lakh and has played 70 T20Is and picked 78 wickets. He has also represented Zimbabwe in 12 tests and 55 ODIs.
🔊 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
The pacer is currently in the Zimbabwe squad for the upcoming one-off test against England, which is set to begin on May 22 in Trent Bridge. He will be joining the RCB camp after the conclusion of the test match.
Zimbabwe also has one more game lined up from June 03, they will take on South Africa in Arundel. This fixture will serve as a warm-up game for the Proteas ahead of the WTC final.
Blessing Muzarabani is yet to make his debut in the IPL game. He was previously a net bowler at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the past. RCB’s current head coach Andy Flower was a part of LSG’s support staff at that time.
Meanwhile, RCB are also expecting Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood to join the squad ahead of the upcoming playoffs. The star pacer is expected to arrive in India by the end of this week and will be available for the playoffs.
Currently, Josh Hazlewood is currently nursing a shoulder injury while Jacob Bethell will not be available for the playoffs as he is part of the England Squad for the upcoming ODI series against West Indies beginning on May 29.
RCB will play their next match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 23 at M. Chinnnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
