IPL 2025: Tim Seifert replaces Jacob Bethell for RCB, who are off to the playoffs

Tim Seifert, a batsman and wicketkeeper from New Zealand, has been signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to replace Jacob Bethell of England, who is expected to depart the IPL 2025 before the playoffs to play for his country in the forthcoming white-ball series against the West Indies. On May 24, the day after RCB’s league-stage match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Lucknow, the batting all-rounder will leave India.

England’s ODI and T20I teams for their upcoming home series against the West Indies include Bethell. On May 23, he will make his final appearance for RCB. On May 29, he will return to the UK to get ready for the first ODI in Edgbaston, Birmingham. The list of guys that RCB will miss throughout the playoffs will grow with Bethell’s departure. Notably, only if RCB advances that far would Bethell’s England colleague Phil Salt, who is also included in the T20I squad for the same series, be available until the June 3 final.

Tim Seifert, who has appeared in just three games over two seasons and scored 26 runs, has prior experience with the Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders.

The Kiwi batsman has participated in over 262 T20 matches worldwide and has played in 66 T20Is, accumulating 1,540 runs with a strike rate of 142.85. Seifert, who cost INR 2 crore to sign, is anticipated to play in the middle order for the RCB if needed.

Lungisani Ngidi, a pacer for South Africa, will also miss the playoffs because he has joined the team to prepare for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, which starts at the Lord’s on June 11. Blessing Muzarabani of Zimbabwe was selected by the team to succeed Ngidi, with effect from May 26. Josh Hazlewood, the star pacer for the RCB, has also been selected for Australia’s WTC Final team but has not yet reached India. His unavailability has not yet been formally notified by the side.

With 17 points from 12 games, the Rajat Patidar-led team is in a solid position and currently holds the second spot. With a top-two finish and a direct shot at the final through Qualifier 1, the team will like to win their next two games, against Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 23) and Lucknow Super Giants (May 27), as they have already qualified for the playoffs.