Jacob Bethell to leave RCB after this clash, Tim Seifert roped in as replacement for remainder of IPL 2025

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be without the services of their young England batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 playoffs. Bethell will leave RCB camp after their clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Lucknow against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 23.

Bethell is part of England's ODI squad for the three-ODI series at home starting May 29 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. In Bethell's absence, New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert has been roped in as replacement for remainder of IPL 2025.

Seifert had earlier represented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Delhi Capitals (DC). He played just one game for KKR in IPL 2021 and was dismissed for a single-digit score. For DC, he scored 24 runs from two innings.

Seifert has been roped in for Rs 2 crore. He will be eligible to play in RCB's last league stage clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 27. The 30-year-old has represented New Zealand in 66 T20Is. He has scored 1,540 runs at an average of 28, including 10 half-centuries. His strike rate is 142.85.

Bethell's debut season -

Bethell made his IPL debut in the absence of an unfit Phil Salt. He scored 12 runs against Delhi Capitals (DC). In the next match, he scored 55 runs and shared a 97-run opening partnership with Virat Kohli. The left-arm spinner is yet to bowl in IPL. He was roped in for Rs 2.60 crore in the mega auction.

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RCB's another replacement

Earlier this week, RCB had named Zimbabwe's 6 feet and eight inches tall pacer Blessing Muzarabani for South Africa fast bowler Lungi Ngidi. Muzarabani will join RCB camp after the one-off four-day Test against England.

RCB's chance to finish in top 2

RCB are currently placed second on the points table with 17 points from 12 games. If the Rajat Patidar-led side win their remaining games, they will finish in the top two and play in the Qualifier 1. Their star pacer Josh Hazlewood is also expected to return to the side in the coming days.

Phil Salt, Romario Shepherd, Liam Livingstone, Tim David and Nuwan Thushara will continue to be a part of their squad for the remainder of the IPL 2025.