The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), led by Rishabh Pant, have encountered a challenge even before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who was signed for Rs 3.40 crore at the IPL auction, has been cleared to participate but only as a specialist batter.
This restriction comes due to his ongoing recovery from a back injury that ruled him out of the Champions Trophy and the ODI tour of Sri Lanka. While his presence in the batting lineup will still be valuable, LSG will miss his all-round abilities, potentially impacting their team balance.
Mitchell Marsh’s Injury and Road to Recovery
Marsh’s back issues first surfaced during Australia’s limited-overs tour of the UK in September 2024. By January 31, he was ruled out of both the Sri Lanka ODI series and the Champions Trophy due to persistent lower back pain and dysfunction. His domestic season came to an early end as he underwent rest and specialist treatment in February. Recently, he resumed batting and received clearance to participate in the IPL, where he is expected to play a crucial role at the top of the order for LSG.
However, he has not played competitive cricket since January 7, when he featured in a Big Bash League (BBL) match for the Perth Scorchers before missing the remainder of the season. Over the past three IPL seasons, Marsh played for Delhi Capitals but struggled with injuries, including a hamstring issue in 2024 that cut his season short after just four matches.
Australia’s Other IPL-Bound Players Prioritise Tournament
While Marsh’s participation comes with limitations, several of his Australian teammates are gearing up for the IPL. Pat Cummins, who suffered an ankle flare-up after the Border-Gavaskar series, is expected to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad. Mitchell Starc, who sustained an ankle niggle during the Sri Lanka Test series, will play for Delhi Capitals after being bought for Rs 11.75 crore.
Josh Hazlewood, the highest-priced Australian player at Rs 13.50 crore, will feature for Royal Challengers Bengaluru after missing the previous season due to injuries. Other Australian players have also prioritised the IPL over domestic commitments.
Travis Head (Sunrisers), Jake Fraser-McGurk (Capitals), and Spencer Johnson (KKR) will skip the Sheffield Shield final to participate in the IPL. Additionally, Xavier Bartlett, Josh Inglis, and Aaron Hardie will join Punjab Kings under Ricky Ponting’s leadership, further emphasizing the significance of the IPL for Australia’s top players.
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