RCB Ropes In Tim Seifert as Jacob Bethell’s Replacement Ahead of IPL 2025 Playoffs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have signed New Zealand cricketer Tim Seifert as a replacement for Jacob Bethell.

Bethell is scheduled to depart after RCB’s league fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 24 to join England’s white-ball squad for their series against West Indies. Seifert’s inclusion will be effective from the same date.

Seifert Brings Experience and Firepower

The 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman last played in the IPL for Delhi Capitals during the 2022 season, having debuted with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2021.

In his T20 career, Seifert has scored 5862 runs in 262 matches at a strike rate of 133.07. He has joined RCB for INR 2 crore and will be available for their final league game against Lucknow Super Giants on May 27, as well as the playoffs.

Currently playing for Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Seifert’s arrival in India will depend on how far his PSL side progresses.

The PSL Eliminator between Kings and Lahore Qalandars is scheduled for Thursday night, while the final is set for May 25 in Lahore. Therefore, the latest he could arrive is May 26 in Lucknow.

A Timely Addition for Crucial Fixtures

Opening for Karachi Kings alongside David Warner, Seifert has tallied 226 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 145.80, with a top score of 47.

His brief previous IPL stints include two matches for Delhi Capitals and a few for KKR. The signing comes as Bethell prepares to leave following his national selection.

Bethell’s Short but Impactful Stay

Jacob Bethell, in his debut IPL season, has played two matches for RCB. He stepped in for Phil Salt, who was unwell, and impressed with a 33-ball 55 against Chennai Super Kings on May 3.

That match remains RCB’s most recent appearance, as their fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders was washed out due to bad weather in Bengaluru.

In addition to Bethell’s exit, the availability of Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood remains uncertain.

Hazlewood is currently in Brisbane at Cricket Australia’s High-Performance Centre, recovering from a shoulder niggle picked up before the CSK match. RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat has stated that they are monitoring the situation.

Ngidi Replaced by Muzarabani for Playoffs

South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi will also miss the playoffs due to his preparations for the World Test Championship final. Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani has been signed as a short-term replacement.

RCB’s Road Ahead in IPL 2025

RCB are currently placed second on the points table with 17 points from 12 matches, including eight wins and three losses.

Having secured a playoff berth, they have two league matches remaining — against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 24 and Lucknow Super Giants on May 27.

Mayank Agarwal Comes in for Injured Padikkal

In a separate move, RCB have signed Mayank Agarwal as a replacement for the injured Devdutt Padikkal.

Speaking on Mayank’s inclusion, RCB Director Mo Bobat said, “We all wish him well. In terms of replacing him, Mayank was an obvious choice for us. Like all teams, whenever you get injuries, you start looking through the list of available options but you’re trying to work out what it is that you need.”

He added, “What we needed was somebody to deliver the sort of impact that Dev delivered. But we were definitely after a calm head, someone with some experience. It helps that he’s someone that’s been there and done it. As we move to the pressure games, we think that experience will be really helpful for him.”

Mayank Reflects on His RCB Return

Mayank Agarwal, who started his IPL journey with RCB back in 2011, expressed his excitement about rejoining the team. “It feels amazing. It just feels that life has come a full circle.

Started off in 2011 with RCB and then just coming back now, just feels good. I think the team is really focused. There’s a very good environment. You know guys are focused but they are also relaxed and obviously they are playing good cricket,” he said.

With the playoffs approaching, RCB’s recent squad additions aim to strengthen their campaign and maintain their winning momentum in IPL 2025.