DRS, May 16: As franchises scramble to reassemble their squad following a week-long suspension of IPL 2025, some received good news while others were not so lucky. Good news first. Royal Challengers Bengaluru have received a double boost. Romario Shepherd is available for the entire IPL while Virat Kohli returned to practice for the first time since announcing Test retirement. RCB captain, Rajat Patidar, who is nursing a finger injury, also batted at the nets ahead of RCB vs KKR clash on May 17.
Now, for the bad news, Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals are still unsure about their Australian stars. Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants were dealt a twin blow on May 16. With BCCI losing its appeal with Cricket South Africa, Aiden Markram would miss the playoffs should LSG qualify. LSG would also miss their pacer Mayank Yadav, who aggravated his back injury.
In other news, Cricket West Indies are wary of Olympics exclusion. As the IOC only permits sovreign nations to compete, West Idnies would miss out. Hence, they have written a letter to the ICC, appealing their case, proposing two unique plans. Let’s check the six super stories of May 15.
Kohli joins practice
Three days after announcing a shocking retirement from Test cricket, Virat Kohli is back on the field. After rejoining RCB squad ahead of IPL 2025 resumption on May 17, Kohli returned to practice again. He was all smiles as he was greeted by once teammate Ajinkya Rahane, who served as his deputy. Former India coach Ravi Shastri who Kohli called up before announcing Test retirement also revealed details about the phone call he had. Shastri said, Kohli’s mind was clear about the retirement call.
He walks in. Eyes fierce. Aura unmatched.
The King has entered the arena.
: Nee Singam Dhan (Sony Music) pic.twitter.com/vad4ukLoR1
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 15, 2025
BCCI loses to CSA, wins vs CWI
BCCI could be the most powerful force in world cricket and hold a lot of influence over other cricket boards but Cricket South Africa (CSA) decided to ignore them. BCCI failed to reach an agreement as South Africa have announced that it will recall all eight WTC Finalbound players after the IPL league stage is over. BCCI was trying to negotiate a deal, keeping the South African players for the entire duration, until June 3 final. However, as South Africa will face Zimbabwe in a warm-up match before the WTC Final against Australia, it has ignored the appeal.
However, Cricket West Indies could not ignore BCCI’s calls. CWI has allowed all its players to remain in the IPL 2025 till the final. Hence, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Joseph will miss the ODI series against Ireland. Some could miss the ODI series against England as well.
IPL 2025 Player replacements
With the NOC window for IPL 2025 closing on May 25, many countries are unwilling to let their players extend stay. Some players are also iffy about returning to India amid cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. Hence, the BCCI allowed franchises to rope in temporary replacements.
PBKS, GT, LSG and MI are all affected and they have signed replacements. PBKS roped in tall fast bowler Kyle Jamieson for injured Lockie Ferguson. With Jos Buttler set to leave after the league stage, Gujarat Titans have announced Kusal Mendis as a temporary replacement for the playoffs. LSG have signed William O’Rourke as a cover for Mayank Yadav. However, if they qualify for the playoffs, they will be without Aiden Markram. Mitchell Marsh is also set to leave after the league stage. Mumbai Indians have roped in Jonny Bairstow for Will Jacks and Charith Asalanka as a cover for Corbin Bosch and Ryan Rickleton.
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Mayank Yadav injured again
After six months of recovery and rehab, young Mayank Yadav returned to cricket. However, he has aggrevated his back injury after playing just two matches for LSG in IPL 2025. Hence, Mayank has been ruled out of IPL. The 22-year-old is likley to undergo surgery and could miss another six months of cricket. The speedster played two matches in this IPL, bagging two wickets. But his speed dipped drastically and was not economical, going at 12.50 in eight overs.
Cricket West Indies pleads to ICC
Wary of missing out on the LA 2028 Olympics cricket, Cricket West Indies have pleaded with the ICC for a fair treatment. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) only allows sovereign nations to compete in the summer and winter games. However, West Indies is a union of 15 nations and teritiories and thus it cannot compete as a unit in the LA 2028 Olympics. CWI has thus proposed an internal qualifying tournament for Caribbean islands or a global ICC qualifying event.
NEWS – Team India (Senior Women) squads for the upcoming England tour announced
A look at the squads for T20Is and ODIs
#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/lrUMzF09f8
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) May 15, 2025
Shafali Varma returns
While everyone has been waiting eagerly for the Men’s India A squad for England tour, BCCI has announced ODI and T20I squads for women’s team. India Women’s Cricket Team will take on England in five T20Is and three ODIs, starting June 28.
Shafali Verma who was dropped from the team has returned to the side after seven months. However, she has only been picked for the T20Is. There is no update on Renuka Thakur and Shreyanka Patil. Both are nursing injuries since Women’s Premier League.
The post DRS, May 16: BCCI loses, Virat Kohli returns to practice; Mayank Yadav injured again; IPL 2025 player replacements appeared first on Inside Sport India.