IPL 2025: RCB's Jacob Bethell pulls out of playoffs; Replacement named

Jacob Bethell played two games for RCB in IPL 2025.

Tim Seifert of New Zealand has joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to replace Jacob Bethell. After RCB’s penultimate league match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 24, Bethell will go for national duty to play for England.

Bethell is part of England’s ODI squad for the three-match ODI series at home starting May 29 at Edgbaston. In Phil Salt’s absence due to injury, Bethell made his IPL debut. When playing against Delhi Capitals (DC) on his IPL debut, he scored 12 runs. He scored 55 runs and opened alongside Virat Kohli for 97 runs in the following game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He was purchased at the mege auction for INR 2.60 crores.

Earlier this week, RCB substituted South Africa’s fast bowler Lungi Ngidi with Zimbabwe’s pacer Blessing Muzarabani. Following the one-off four-day test match against England, Muzarabani will join the RCB camp.

Tim Seifert replaces Jacob Bethell in the RCB squad for INR 2 crores

Tim Seifert, a batsman and wicket-keeper from New Zealand, has been signed on to cover for Bethell for the rest of the IPL 2025.

Seifert has played for the Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He was removed for a single-digit score in his lone IPL 2021 match for KKR. He pitched two innings and scored 24 runs for DC.

“Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have signed Tim Seifert as Jacob Bethell is set to leave the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 for England on May 24, 2025—following RCB’s league-stage game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 23, 2025—to join the England team.  The replacement will be effective from May 24, 2025.

Tim Seifert—the New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter—has played 66 T20Is and has 1540 runs against his name from the same. He will join RCB for INR 2 crore,” the IPL statement read.

For INR 2 crores, Seifert has been hired. He will be able to participate in the May 27 match between the RCB and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the final league stage match. The 30-year-old has played for New Zealand in 66 T20Is. At an average of 28, he has amassed 1,540 runs, including ten half-centuries. 142.85 is his strike rate.

RCB have 17 points after 12 games, which has put them in second position in the points table. The team led by Rajat Patidar will qualify for Qualifier 1 if they win their remaining games and place in the top two.

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