IPL 2025: RCB picks New Zealand explosive batter as Jacob Bethell’s replacement

On Thursday, May 22, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have picked the New Zealand explosive top-order batter Tim Seifert as the temporary replacement player in place of England all-rounder Jacob Bethell, who is opening the innings for the franchise in the league phase.

Notably, Bethell made his RCB debut in the ongoing season against the Chennai Super Kings, scoring an impressive half-century to take his side over the line in a thrilling affair. His last game of the season will be against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday, May 23, in Lucknow.

Speaking about Seiftert's T20 numbers, he has accumulated 5862 runs from 243 innings at an average of 27.65 and a strike rate of 133.07 with three centuries and 28 fifties. Moreover, he represented the Black Caps in 66 T20Is, amassing 1540 runs at an average of 28 and a strike rate of 142.85 with 10 half-centuries.

Earlier, RCB had also roped in the Zimbabwean pacer Blessing Muzarabani as a temporary replacement player in place of Lungi Ngidi, who will return to South Africa before the final league stage game against Lucknow.

It’s important to note that Ngidi will be available for RCB’s next game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday, May 23, in Lucknow before returning to South Africa for the WTC 2025 final camp.

With the temporary replacement player effective from Monday, May 26, Muzarabani will be available for selection ahead of RCB's final league stage game of the season, against the Lucknow Super Giants, on Tuesday, May 27.

Prior to the league’s temporary halt, RCB had drafted in Mayank Agarwal as a replacement for Devdutt Padikkal, who will miss the remainder of the IPL 2025 season due to a hamstring injury.

Notably, Padikkal smacked 247 runs from 10 innings at a strike rate of 150.60 in the IPL 2025 season, including two half-centuries. Agarwal, who previously represented the franchise from 2011-2013, will have a second stint.

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