5 Players Who Are Set to Arrive Late in IPL 2026

The Indian Premier League is all set for its 19th edition, i.e., IPL 2026. All 10 teams locked their squads during the IPL 2026 auctions, carefully acquiring players after extensive planning and research. It is often underlined that the tournament is half won at the auction table, and as we get closer to the commencement of IPL 2026, every franchise now has confirmed its mix of overseas stars and homegrown talent ahead of the season.

However, heading into the opening week of Tata IPL 2026, several franchises are already scratching their heads due to the absence of key players who are set to arrive late due to personal reasons, injuries, or workload management. These delays not only affect team balance but also force franchises to rethink their early-season combinations. Let’s take a closer look at the players who will miss the opening stages of IPL 2025 and what their absence means for their respective teams.

Lockie Ferguson (Punjab Kings)

Punjab Kings will begin their campaign without the services of New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson. The speedster has opted to spend time with his newborn child and family, a decision that highlights the growing importance of personal commitments over cricketing schedules.

• Impact on PBKS: Ferguson’s absence leaves a significant void in Punjab’s pace attack. Known for his ability to clock speeds above 150 km/h and deliver lethal yorkers, Ferguson is a proven match-winner in T20 cricket. Without him, PBKS may need to rely heavily on domestic pacers or the Aussie overseas backups like Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis.
• Timeline: No clear timeline has been defined for his return, which adds uncertainty to Punjab’s campaign planning.

Mitchell Starc (Delhi Capitals)

Delhi Capitals will also miss their marquee paceman, Mitchell Starc, at the start of IPL 2025. Cricket Australia has decided to manage the left-arm pacer’s workload ahead of a demanding Test calendar in 2026–27.

• Impact on DC: Starc’s absence is a major setback for Delhi, especially given his ability to swing the new ball and deliver under pressure. His left-arm pace offers variety that few bowlers can replicate. Without him, DC has other overseas pace bowling options in Dushmantha Chameera, Kyle Jamieson, and Lungisani Ngidi.
• Timeline: Similar to Ferguson, no timeline has been defined for Starc’s return, leaving Delhi in a state of flux.

Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will start their title defense without the leader of their pace bowling department, Josh Hazlewood. The Australian pacer is undergoing injury rehabilitation and will miss the opening matches.

• Impact on RCB: Hazlewood’s disciplined line-and-length bowling has been instrumental in RCB’s success. His ability to strike early and contain runs in the death overs makes him a vital cog in their bowling unit. In his absence, RCB may lean on other overseas options like the Sri Lankan Nuwan Thushara and New Zealand’s pacer Jacob Duffy.
• Timeline: Reports suggest Hazlewood could return later in the season, but the exact number of matches he will miss remains uncertain.

Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Sunrisers Hyderabad face perhaps the biggest challenge among all franchises. Their skipper, Pat Cummins, is dealing with fitness issues and may not be available for the initial fixtures. The only shining light for SRH right now is the fact that Cummins has joined the camp in Hyderabad but won’t be available to play the initial games owing to a lower back injury he sustained last year.

• Impact on SRH: Cummins’ absence is a double blow, both as a bowler and as a leader. His tactical acumen and calm presence have been crucial for SRH. In his absence, the management has already named Ishan Kishan as the stand-in skipper who will be leading an IPL side for the very first time.
• Other options: Sunrisers Hyderabad have received positive news from Sri Lanka. Their pacer, Eshan Malinga, has secured an NOC from the cricket board and is now available for selection. Alongside Malinga, England’s Brydon Carse stands as another overseas pace option for SRH and could be in line for his potential IPL debut this season.

Matthew Short (Chennai Super Kings)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are also dealing with an early-season setback. Australian all-rounder Matthew Short, acquired for ₹1.5 crore, has suffered a fractured thumb and will miss the start of IPL 2025.

• Impact on CSK: Well, Short wasn’t exactly a straight-up choice for CSK to get into their eleven. He was more of a backup support in case of injuries to other overseas players during the course of the tournament. Therefore, CSK may not miss Short in the early stage of the season.
• Additional Blow: Short was also recently dropped from Australia’s 2026 T20 World Cup squad, which could affect his confidence. However, CSK will hope he recovers quickly and contributes later in the season.

The delayed arrivals of these overseas stars underline a recurring challenge in the IPL—balancing international commitments, personal priorities, and franchise expectations. For teams, the early weeks of the tournament often set the tone for the campaign.