IPL 2025: List of New Zealand Players to Skip Pakistan Series for IPL and Their Franchises

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IPL 2025: New Zealand has announced its squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan, set to begin on March 16, 2025. However, several key players have opted out due to their Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments.

This situation mirrors last year's scenario, where senior New Zealand players prioritized the IPL over national duty. With Michael Bracewell set to lead the squad in Mitchell Santner's absence, here’s a look at the players missing out and the franchises they will represent.

New Zealand Players Skipping Pakistan Series for IPL 2025

• Mitchell Santner (Chennai Super Kings) – The regular white-ball captain will be unavailable for national duty as he continues his stint with CSK.
• Devon Conway (Chennai Super Kings) – Conway, an integral part of CSK, will remain with the franchise instead of playing against Pakistan.
• Lockie Ferguson (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – The speedster will prioritize his commitments with RCB over the national team.
• Glenn Phillips (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – The hard-hitting batter and wicketkeeper will be in action for SRH in IPL 2025.
• Rachin Ravindra (Chennai Super Kings) – The young all-rounder, who had a great IPL debut season in 2024, will continue his journey with CSK.
• Bevon Jacobs (Mumbai Indians) – The uncapped Kiwi all-rounder has secured an IPL contract and will be unavailable for New Zealand.

Also read: Highest Batting Averages in IPL History: Which Batter Has the Strongest Numbers, From 2008 to IPL 2025? Young Sai Sudharsan in Top 5!

With several key players missing, New Zealand has named Michael Bracewell as captain. James Neesham, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Ish Sodhi return to the squad, providing experience and balance. The team will also feature Ben Sears, who has recovered from injury, along with Kyle Jamieson and William O'Rourke, who will be available for only three matches due to workload management.

Previous Instances of New Zealand Players Skipping National Duty

In 2024, a similar situation arose when Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner missed the Pakistan series for IPL. The trend highlights the growing influence of franchise cricket on international commitments.

The absence of top-tier players will be a challenge for New Zealand in their series against Pakistan. Meanwhile, IPL franchises will benefit from their presence as they gear up for another thrilling season. With the T20 World Cup approaching, it remains to be seen how this decision impacts New Zealand’s preparations for the global event.