In a quick turn of events, the World Test Championship (WTC) final-bound South African players will not feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 playoffs.

The 18th edition of IPL was originally scheduled for May 25 finishing but after the tournament was suspended for a week due to India-Pakistan conflict at the border, the playoffs begin on May 29 with the final pushed back to June 3 as per the new schedule.

South Africa have made it to the WTC final for the first time and will face Australia at Lord's, starting from June 11.

The eight Proteas players named in the WTC final squad include Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans), Aiden Markram (Lucknow Super Giants), Marco Jansen (Punjab Kings), Tristan Stubbs (Delhi Capitals), Lungi Ngidi (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), Wiaan Mulder (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch (both Mumbai Indians).

Meanwhile, the BCCI on Thursday (May 15) instructed the IPL franchises to release eight WTC-bound South African players latest by May 26, making them unavailable for the play-offs.

In an advisory to teams, the BCCI also informed that the Caribbean players will be available for the remainder of the tournament.

South Africa’s WTC-bound players are supposed to assemble in the UK on May 31, the same date also marks the start of England's home white-ball series against the West Indies.

"The South African players must return to South Africa at the latest by Monday, May 26. West Indies players will be available throughout the tournament," BCCI conveyed to teams in an official communication, according to news agency PTI.

Out of the seven franchises which have the WTC final-bound South Africa players, SRH are out of the playoffs race. GT have played major chunk of the season without Rabada and are just one win away from sealing a berth in the playoffs.

MI will be most affected with their South African contingent departing after the league stage. DC and PBKS will also be worried by Stubbs and Jansen's departure, respectively.

Markam is third-highest run-scorer for LSG, who are currently placed seventh on the points table and need to win all their remaining fixtures to qualify for the playoffs.

The Titans will also miss the services of in-form Jos Buttler who is set to miss the playoffs for England duty.

(With PTI Inputs)