Lockie Ferguson’s unfortunate injury is set to cast a shadow over the Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, potentially sidelining the New Zealand pacer for a significant duration. Fast bowling coach James Hopes confirmed that Ferguson will be out indefinitely, expressing skepticism about his chances of returning by the tournament’s end.
“I think he’s done a real decent injury to himself,“ Hopes stated, emphasizing the severity of the situation just a day before the team’s match against Kolkata Knight Riders in Mullanpur.
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Ferguson’s troubles began when he hobbled off the field after delivering only two balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Although the specifics of the injury are yet to be detailed, visuals indicated that the 33-year-old was clutching his left thigh, signaling potential muscle distress.
In the matches preceding this setback, Ferguson had performed admirably, claiming five wickets in four games and establishing himself as a linchpin in the Kings’ bowling strategy, particularly during the crucial middle overs.
In the wake of this injury, the Punjab Kings face the daunting challenge of finding a suitable replacement for rest of the season of IPL 2025. Among the options available in the squad are Australian seamer Xavier Bartlett and Afghan allrounder Azmatullah Omarzai. The Kings could also consider tapping into their Indian talent pool, including Vijaykumar Vyshak and Yash Thakur, the latter being utilized against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
For Ferguson, this injury in IPL 2025 marks yet another setback, as he also missed the recent Champions Trophy with New Zealand due to a hamstring injury incurred during the ILT20 earlier in the year.
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The cumulative effect of these injuries will undoubtedly require the Punjab Kings to adapt quickly in an already unpredictable IPL 2025 season, where they find themselves with three wins and two losses in five matches. The loss of Ferguson’s skills at this juncture adds to the team’s hurdles as they navigate the remainder of the tournament.
