The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season has been rocked by the confirmed absence of three high-profile England cricketers-Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, and Jamie Overton. Their franchises and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have both confirmed that these players will not return to India for the remainder of the tournament, leaving fans and teams to adjust their strategies as the league resumes after a brief suspension.
Why Are Archer, Curran, and Overton Missing IPL 2025?
Injury and International Commitments
Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals) will not return due to injury. The franchise emphasized that his absence is solely to prioritize his recovery, not because the team is out of playoff contention.
Sam Curran and Jamie Overton (Chennai Super Kings) have also opted out of the remainder of the season. CSK confirmed they do not plan to seek replacements, especially as their playoff hopes have already been dashed.
Another key reason for these departures is England’s upcoming ODI series against the West Indies, scheduled for May 29, June 1, and June 3. Archer, Overton, and several other English players have been named in the squad, making them unavailable for the IPL playoffs, which overlap with these international fixtures.
Impact on IPL Franchises
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- CSK will finish the season without Curran and Overton.
- The franchise is winding down its campaign, having already been eliminated from playoff contention.
- No temporary replacements will be sought, as per the latest IPL rules and the team’s current position.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Archer’s injury means RR loses a key pacer for the final matches.
- The team, also out of playoff reckoning, is focusing on player fitness and future campaigns.
Who’s Returning to the IPL?
While some English stars are heading home, others are making their way back to India:
Jos Buttler (Gujarat Titans), Will Jacks (Mumbai Indians), Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) are all set to rejoin their teams for the league’s final stretch.
The status of Phil Salt (RCB) remains uncertain, while Moeen Ali (KKR) is yet to make a final decision on his return.
IPL 2025: Key Dates and Changes
- The IPL resumes on May 17 after a week-long pause due to earlier geopolitical tensions.
- Playoffs begin on May 29, with the final scheduled for June 3.
- The IPL has revised its replacement rules, allowing teams to sign temporary substitutes, but CSK and RR have chosen not to pursue this option for their departing English players.
What This Means for the IPL Playoffs
With Archer, Curran, and Overton out, their teams face the remainder of the season without some of their biggest international stars. For franchises still in the playoff hunt, the return of Buttler, Jacks, Livingstone, and Bethell could prove crucial. However, any England player named in the ODI squad will depart after the league stage, missing the playoffs entirely.
FAQs: Archer, Curran and Overton Missing IPL 2025
Q1: Why are Archer, Curran, and Overton missing the rest of IPL 2025?
A: Archer is out with an injury, while Curran and Overton are unavailable due to England’s ODI series against the West Indies, which clashes with the IPL playoffs.
Q2: Will their teams get replacements for these players?
A: No, both Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals have confirmed they will not seek temporary replacements for the departing English players.
Q3: Are any other England players returning to the IPL?
A: Yes, Jos Buttler, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, and Jacob Bethell are all returning to fulfill their IPL commitments for the league stage.
Q4: What are the new IPL replacement rules?
A: The IPL now allows temporary replacement players for the remainder of the tournament, but these replacements are not eligible for retention in the next season’s draft.
Q5: Will Archer, Curran, or Overton play in the IPL playoffs if their teams qualify?
A: No, all three will be unavailable for the playoffs due to their inclusion in England’s ODI squad and, in Archer’s case, injury concerns.
Conclusion
The absence of Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, and Jamie Overton from the rest of IPL 2025 is a significant blow for their respective franchises, especially as both CSK and RR are already out of the playoff race. As the league resumes and heads toward a dramatic finish, fans will be watching closely to see how teams adapt to these high-profile departures and which returning stars can make a difference in the crucial final matches.