- May 16, 2025
When we thought IPL 2025 was going to be boring, along comes this player movement that provides a perfectly timed dose of excitement in the schedule. With players away on international duty or players struggling to meet their previously set expectations due to injury ruining combinations, franchises are starting to implement new rotations to get them to the finish line. And he will not be the last – Kyle Jamieson and William “Bill” O’Rourke will come on for Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, respectively, returning (or debuting, there) to this tournament.
Mendis Madness: A High-Stakes Debut for GT
Kusal Mendis in the IPL, what a headline! Many fans have been waiting for this! The GT’s strategy of bringing in the Sri Lankan dasher as a replacement for Jos Buttler is a calculated and brave decision. Buttler will head off for England duty on May 26, and the GT will have to find a batsman capable of replacing him. The replacement batsman will have to be someone who can handle the pressure, is explosive, and Kusal fits that bill. He is a permanent member of the Sri Lankan batting lineup and has made a name for himself as a powerful batsman.
For Mendis, this isn’t just a cameo in the late part of the season – it’s a precious opportunity. Given that GT is still in the playoffs, everything seems to signal Mendis occupying the pivotal No. 3 position. Here’s the thing about the 3-position: it’s high-risk, high-reward. If Mendis gets it right, he could well be the x-factor for GT ahead of the knockouts. And let’s face it, we love a bit of an underdog story – and for Mendis to walk into the IPL fire, at the deep end, needs to have that flavor.
Jamieson’s Return: PBKS Gets a Much-Needed Boost
After representing RCB in IPL 2021, towering New Zealand pacer Jamieson will return to the league as Lockie Ferguson’s replacement with the Punjab Kings. Ferguson is a massive loss, but PBKS may end up benefiting from this exchange.
Jamieson provides bounce, control, and that natural awkward angle that batsmen don’t want to face. At 2 Crores, PBKS have made a good move given their current mix of bowlers. With Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett, Marco Jansen, and Yuzvendra Chahal already in the group, Jamieson’s introduction adds a new style that complements the group. PBKS’s bowling attack just became a lot more versatile—and a potentially menacing one if they can get the form at the right time.
LSG’s Gamble on O’Rourke: Pacy, Raw, and Ready?
Lucknow Super Giants’ hopes for Mayank Yadav—likely the quickest Indian bowler in this year’s IPL—have gone from bad to worse after another injury. Lucknow Super Giants get a player who replicates Mayank’s raw speed and aggression in William O’Rourke.
This is O’Rourke’s first experience of the IPL; however, he has been under lights before. O’Rourke’s recent international games with New Zealand suggested he brought more heat and bounce. He does not have IPL experience yet, however, he hopes he can do something early upfront, if not at least keep the batsmen true with pace.
LSG was after someone to slot in with them with no strategy changes, and O’Rourke fits. He is raw, unknown, and can be a wild card, which is sometimes what you want in pressure games. LSG is chasing playoff aspirations, so his influence could be larger than anticipated.
Who do you think will be the biggest influence from all these replacements? Will Mendis make his earliest mark in IPL? Or will Kiwis take up all the column inches? Share your thoughts, predictions, and favorite moments in the comments below—this IPL season just got a lot more interesting!
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