IPL 2025: RCB Pull Off Surprise Signing Ahead of Playoffs to Replace Lungi Ngidi

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have signed Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani as a temporary replacement for Lungi Ngidi.

The South African fast bowler will leave the IPL early to join his national team ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

Muzarabani will join the RCB squad starting May 26, just before their last league match against Lucknow Super Giants.

According to an IPL statement, RCB have brought in Muzarabani for ₹75 lakh.

Muzarabani is currently part of Zimbabwe’s squad for their four-day Test against England, which will be held from May 22 to 25 at Trent Bridge.

His availability for RCB will depend on travel plans after the England tour. Zimbabwe will also play a warm-up match against South Africa on June 3, just ahead of the WTC final.

With Lungi Ngidi, along with several other South African players, scheduled to fly to the UK on May 30 due to international duties, franchises are being forced to find replacements.

Josh Hazlewood is also unavailable for RCB due to a shoulder injury, leaving the team short on pace options. Jacob Bethell, another overseas player in RCB, is also expected to leave soon for Test preparations.

RCB have already sealed a place in the IPL 2025 playoffs. They qualified after Gujarat Titans defeated Delhi Capitals. RCB currently sit at the second position on the points table with 17 points from 12 matches.

They have two games left—against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow.

Blessing Muzarabani is yet to make his IPL debut. However, he has IPL experience as a net bowler for LSG in the past when RCB head coach Andy Flower was part of their support staff.

The two have also worked together in the Pakistan Super League and ILT20. Muzarabani is in good form, having taken 26 wickets in his last four Tests, including a nine-wicket haul against Bangladesh in April.