Punjab Kings (PBKS) received a major boost ahead of the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) resumption with Australian stars Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis set to return before the crucial clash against Delhi Capitals (DC) on May 24 in Jaipur.
According to Bharat Sharma from PTI, the duo will miss the upcoming match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on May 18 but are set to rejoin the team, dispelling earlier concerns that they might not return after the week-long IPL suspension caused by India-Pakistan cross-border tensions.
This development strengthens PBKS’s title prospects as the tournament restarts on May 17. The Punjab-based franchise needs two more wins from the remaining three games to officially confirm their place in the playoffs.
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Punjab Kings Breathe Easy as Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis Get Ready to Return to India
Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis, key overseas players for PBKS, had left India during the tournament’s pause after the match against DC in Dharamshala was abandoned on May 8.
The return of Stoinis and Inglis is a major relief for PBKS, who had been uncertain about their availability following reports that they might not return after leaving India.
While four other overseas players, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson and Mitchell Owen, will be available for the RR game, Stoinis and Inglis will join before the match versus the Capitals.
There is still a doubt about Aaron Hardie’s availability. Adding to the team’s depth, PBKS have signed New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson as a replacement for Lockie Ferguson, who was ruled out of IPL 2025 due to a hamstring injury.
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Doubts Over Marco Jansen
The Kings face a looming challenge with Jansen, who is part of South Africa’s squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final against Australia, starting June 11 at Lord’s. As South African players will reportedly depart by May 27, Jansen will not feature in the playoffs if PBKS qualifies.
Inglis has been picked in Australia’s squad for the WTC final, and Cricket Australia (CA) has not confirmed the availability of their players beyond the league stage.
PBKS are currently third on the points table with 15 points from 11 matches and will most likely make the playoffs. A new temporary replacement provision has been introduced. Punjab Kings would need to sign two replacements if Jansen and Inglis leave India before the playoffs.
Also read: IPL 2025: LSG confirms William O’Rourke as Replacement for Injured Mayank Yadav
