RCB Signs Blessing Muzarabani as Replacement for Lungi Ngidi Ahead of IPL 2025 Playoffs

In recent developments around IPL remainder of the season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), have picked Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Lungisani Ngidi, who will leave to join South Africa for national duties. The replacement will be effective from May 26, 2025.

Muzarabani Blessing replaces Lungi Ngidi in RCB

With the national duties as a priority, Lungisani Ngidi will depart from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and will leave for South Africa as he has been named in the WTC Final squad for the 2023-25 Final. He will now miss the playoffs for the RCB, and to fill in his shoes, the franchise has named Muzarabani as his replacement.

RCB’s latest clash with KKR in IPL 2025 was washed out due to rain. Under Rajat Patidar’s captaincy, the Red Army will next take on SRH on May 23, followed by LSG on May 27. However, pacer Lungi Ngidi will miss the final group-stage fixture as he departs early to join South Africa’s squad for the upcoming WTC Final against Australia.

Muzarabani – the Zimbabwe pacer – has so far played 70 T20Is and has picked 78 wickets from the same. Additionally, he has also represented Zimbabwe in 12 Tests and 55 ODIs. He will join RCB for INR 75 Lakh.

He has made a name for himself in franchise cricket. He was picked as a replacement player for Obed McCoy by Multan Sultans in the 2021 PSL season, and returned 10 wickets in 6 games as his franchise won the title. He was also picked as a net bowler for the 2022 IPL season by Lucknow Super Giants.

Royal Challengers have qualified for the IPL 2025 playoffs along with Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings. The last night’s win for GT has not just given fans the top three of the IPL but also confirmed RCB and Punjab Kings’ playoff spots. Bengaluru is set to face SRH in match 65 on May 23, Friday.