Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have secured the services of New Zealand wicketkeeper Tim Seifert as a temporary replacement for England’s Jacob Bethell. Currently, Seifert is representing Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and his availability for RCB will depend on the team’s performance in the current tournament. According to the IPL’s announcement, Seifert will be eligible for selection from 24th May.
Karachi Kings face Lahore Qalandars in the PSL Eliminator on Thursday, with the final scheduled for 25th May in Lahore. Consequently, Seifert’s earliest chance to join RCB will be 26th May in Lucknow, just a day before they play their last league game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
As an opener for Karachi Kings, Seifert has amassed 226 runs in nine innings, boasting a strike rate of 145.80 with a top score of 47. Seifert has had a brief stint in the IPL before, playing two matches with Delhi Capitals in 2022 and with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2021.
Seifert steps in following Bethell’s exit due to commitments with the England national team. Bethell will leave after Friday’s game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, a fixture moved from Bengaluru to Lucknow due to unfavourable weather in southern India. In his debut IPL season, Bethell appeared in two matches for RCB, impressively scoring a 55 off 33 balls against Chennai Super Kings earlier this month.
RCB is also dealing with uncertainties surrounding Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who is in Brisbane at Cricket Australia’s High-Performance Centre preparing for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final. Mo Bobat, RCB’s director, mentioned they are awaiting further updates on Hazlewood’s recovery from a shoulder issue sustained prior to the Chennai Super Kings clash.
Similarly, South African pacer Lungi Ngidi will be absent for the playoffs as he gears up for the WTC final. Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani has temporarily replaced him.
With eight victories from 11 matches in the league phase, RCB are eyeing a top-two finish. They are set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday in Lucknow, before concluding the league phase against LSG.
Shashank Kishore, ESPNcricinfo’s senior correspondent, reported this story.
