Boult expected to return for remainder of IPL 2025

Trent Boult is likely to return for the remainder of IPL 2025. It is a shot in the arm for Mumbai Indians (MI), considering Boult has been a key part of their success in a season where they have bounced back from a weak start to emerge as a strong contender for the playoffs.

Boult, 36, was MI's most expensive signing at the last mega auction at INR 12.5 crore (USD 1.49 million approx.). The left-arm quick has shown why he ranks among the best: currently he is MI's leading wicket-taker this season and joint-fourth-highest overall with 18 wickets at an economy rate of 8.49. He also won the Player-of-the-Match award for his 4 for 26 in the away match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

MI are one of the franchises that could be severely impacted by the rescheduling of the IPL after it was suspended for a week on May 10. The five-time champions are still waiting on the availability of three of their first-choice overseas players: the South African pair of Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch and England batting allrounder Will Jacks.

On Tuesday, Cricket South Africa said that the NOCs given to South African players participating in IPL would only run until May 25, the original end date of the tournament, and discussions were on with the BCCI to figure out the way forward. Both Rickelton and Bosch are part of South Africa's squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final and CSA has said the selected players would need to assemble by the end of May to prepare for the marquee Test event.

As for Jacks, ESPNcricinfo has learned that the ECB has told England players bound for the IPL to return in time for the home ODI series against West Indies starting on May 29.