Lockie Ferguson Ruled Out of IPL 2025 Due to Serious Injury
With their fast bowler Lockie Ferguson declared out indefinitely from the rest of IPL 2025, Punjab Kings (PBKS) have sustained a significant blow. Bowling just two deliveries before going off the field, the New Zealand quick suffered a substantial injury during PBKS' last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Fans tracking every update through platforms like the Bpexch App were quick to express their concern over the team's bowling strength. James Hopes, PBKS's fast-bowling coach, confirmed the news before their Tuesday match against Kolkata Knight Rider (KKR) in Mullanpur.
"I would have thought Ferguson is out indefinitely, and the chances of us getting him back by the end of the tournament are very slim," Hopes added. "I believe he has suffered rather a significant injury."
The Nature of the Injury:
Ferguson's injury struck at a pivotal point in the game against SRH. With just two balls in the sixth over, he grabbed the side of his left leg just below the hip and instantly called for medical help. After a quick visit with the physio, he left the field and vanished, never to be seen again.
His absence was noticed as SRH won by eight wickets and completed the second-highest successful chase in IPL history.
A Constant Issue for Ferguson
Ferguson has been sidelined for injuries recently, but it's not the first time. The 32-year-old has only recently recovered from a hamstring ailment he sustained at the ILT20 in the UAE earlier this year. That ailment had caused him to miss the February Champions Trophy.
Ferguson has been plagued by fitness problems since November 2024. Before the hamstring issue, he had a calf ailment, which kept him out of the ODI series against Sri Lanka late last year.
Effect on the Campaign of Punjab Kings
Ferguson's absence leaves a gaping vacancy in PBKS' bowling attack. This season, in three-and-a-bit matches, he took five wickets at an economy rate of 9.17. Although his stats were not outstanding, his raw pace and experience were vital in the middle and death overs.
To cover Ferguson's absence, PBKS will now rely on its remaining pace options—Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, and Sam Curran. The squad is already having trouble around the bottom half of the points table, so losing a vital bowler could severely compromise its playoff prospects.
What direction is Lockie Ferguson headed?
Ferguson's first concern will be rehabilitation and recuperation since his damage is judged "serious". New Zealand Cricket (NZC) might also exercise caution with his comeback, given his recent injury record, particularly considering significant international events later in the year.
Though locating someone of Ferguson's calibre mid-season will be difficult, PBKS may need to search for a replacement player.
To read more blog: Faisalabad to Host International Cricket After 17 Years: Pakistan vs. Bangladesh T20 Series Announced
Last Words
For Punjab Kings, who are already battling to survive in the tournament, Lockie Ferguson's premature departure from IPL 2025 is a significant setback. His quickness and wicket-taking skills will be missed, and the squad has to reorganize immediately to maintain its playoff hopes.