Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who have already qualified for the IPL 2025 playoffs, have signed Zimbabwean fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani as a temporary replacement for Lungi Ngidi. Ngidi is set to depart to join the South African squad for their preparations for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The replacement will be effective from May 26th, which is the day before RCB’s final league stage match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Lucknow. Muzarabani will join RCB for a sum of INR 75 lakh.

Muzarabani is currently part of Zimbabwe’s squad for their four-day Test against England, scheduled from May 22nd to 25th at Trent Bridge. He will then link up with the RCB squad after the conclusion of that match. Notably, Zimbabwe also have a game against South Africa starting on June 3rd in Arundel, which coincides with the IPL 2025 final and will serve as a warm-up for South Africa ahead of the WTC final.

A total of eight South African players, including Ngidi, who were part of various IPL franchises, were already scheduled to leave for the UK by May 30th due to the rescheduling of the IPL following the border tensions between India and Pakistan. The Cricket South Africa (CSA) had confirmed their unavailability for the full IPL season after the changes.

RCB are currently missing their leading wicket-taker this season, Josh Hazlewood, due to a shoulder injury. While the rest of their overseas players have rejoined the squad after the break, Jacob Bethell will also be departing before RCB’s second-to-last league game for the ODI series against the West Indies.

Having secured a playoff berth after Gujarat Titans’ victory over Delhi Capitals, RCB are currently positioned second on the points table with 17 points from 12 games. They have two remaining league matches: one against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru on Friday and the final one against LSG.

Muzarabani, despite having no prior IPL experience, has previously been a net bowler for LSG. Interestingly, RCB’s current head coach Andy Flower was part of the LSG coaching staff during that time. They have also worked together at Multan Sultans in the PSL and Gulf Giants in the ILT20. Muzarabani has been a standout performer for Zimbabwe in Test cricket recently, taking 26 wickets in his last four Tests, including a nine-wicket haul in a victory against Bangladesh in April.