Zimbabwe cricket legend Andy Flower has added compatriot Blessing Muzarabani to his Indian Premier League (IPL) side Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the playoffs as a temporary replacement for South African Lungi Ngidi who has left due to national team commitments.
The new development is effective from May 26, the day before RCB’s last league-phase game, against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) away in Lucknow.
According to IPL Muzarabani joins RCB for INR 75 lakh which translates to about US$88 000.
The 28 – year – old Zimbabwean pacer has never played an IPL game but has been a net bowler at LSG in the past and ironically Flower was coach at LSG at the time.
Flower appears to rate Muzarabani highly after he successfully worked with him at Multan Sultans in the PSL and at Gulf Giants in the ILT20.
In a statement on Monday the IPL announced that Muzarabani and Shivan Shukla have been picked by Kolkata Knight Riders and RCB respectively.
“Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru pick player replacements Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have signed Shivam Shukla as a replacement for Rovman Powell for the remainder of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
“The West Indian all-rounder needs a surgical intervention of his tonsils. Shukla – a leg-spinner – plays for Madhya Pradesh in Domestic Cricket and will join KKR for INR 30 Lakh.
“Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), meanwhile, have picked Blessing Muzarabani as replacement for Lungisani Ngidi, who will leave to join South Africa for national duties. The replacement will be effective from May 26, 2025.
“Muzarabani – the Zimbabwe pacer – has so far played 70 T20Is and has picked 78 wickets from the same. Additionally, he has also represented Zimbabwe in 12 Tests and 55 ODIs. He will join RCB for INR 75 Lakh,” the IPL said.
Muzarabani is currently with the Zimbabwe squad for their four-day Test against England at Trent Bridge from May 22 to 25.
Zimbabwe will also play South Africa from June 3 – 6 in a warm-up game ahead of the Southern African neighbors’ WTC final.
Muzarabani has been one of Zimbabwe’s star performers in Test cricket in recent months, with 26 wickets in his last four Tests, including a nine-wicket match haul in Zimbabwe’s win over Bangladesh in the Sylhet Test in April.
