Mitchell Marsh Cleared for IPL 2025 as Batter-Only for LSG Despite Back Injury

Australia's T20 skipper Mitchell Marsh has been cleared to play in the next Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), but in a limited capacity. The veteran all-rounder will only feature as a batsman, since he is still recovering from an ongoing back complaint that has kept him out of competitive cricket for more than two months.

Marsh's Injury Setback and Recovery

Marsh, 33, has been fighting a lower back injury diagnosed as "lower back pain and dysfunction." The condition, which is thought to be associated with a disc issue, first occurred during Australia's limited-overs tour of the UK in September 2024. As a result of it, he was denied participation in Australia's ODI tour of Sri Lanka and later missed out on the coveted Champions Trophy, a big blow for both the player and his national side.

After his withdrawal from these matches, Marsh visited a back specialist in early February 2025. His rehabilitation included a long period of rest, during which his condition stabilized. Though still not fit enough to bowl, he has resumed batting and has now been cleared to play for the IPL as a specialist batter.

Role in Lucknow Super Giants and Reunion with Justin Langer

Marsh is going to return to the LSG team on March 18, where he will be coached by his past coach, Justin Langer. Langer, who has already coached Marsh with the Australia national team, Western Australia, and Perth Scorchers, is in his second year as the head coach of LSG. Marsh's return is expected to strengthen LSG's batting line-up, especially at the top, where he is expected to be used as an impact batter.

The aggressive batter was picked up by LSG during the IPL 2024 auction for $400,000. Though he could not make any contribution as an all-rounder, his explosive batting skills and extensive experience make him a great asset to the team.

Marsh's IPL Journey and Injury Woes

Marsh has not had a smooth history with injuries in his IPL stints. Over the last three seasons, he played for Delhi Capitals but encountered several setbacks. In IPL 2024, he strained his hamstring after only four matches into the competition, and he was compelled to travel back home for rehabilitation. However, this did not prevent him from going on to captain Australia in the T20 World Cup later.

His IPL career has witnessed him wear the jersey of several teams, such as Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rising Pune Supergiants, Pune Warriors, and Deccan Chargers. Still, his nagging injury issues have usually capped his contribution. 

Australia's Key Players Preparing for IPL

While Marsh's return as a batter is the talk of the town, a few other Australian celebrities are also ready to make an impact in IPL 2025 after overcoming injuries that ruled them out of the Champions Trophy.

Pat Cummins – The Australian Test and ODI skipper will once again captain Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Cummins had been suffering from an ankle flare-up after the Border-Gavaskar series but has now fully recovered.

Mitchell Starc – The left-arm pacer, who suffered from an ankle niggle during Australia's Test series in Sri Lanka, has also been cleared to feature in IPL 2025. Starc was acquired by Delhi Capitals at $1.4 million and is likely to be one of their major players after featuring for Kolkata Knight Riders' championship-winning campaign last season.

Josh Hazlewood – The Australian right-arm quick was the top-priced Australian to be picked in the 2025 auction and was acquired by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for $1.49 million. Hazlewood had sat out the last season of the IPL because of injury but is again playing.

Australian Players Giving Sheffield Shield a Low Priority

Even as the Sheffield Shield season hits its peak, the majority of Australian players have opted to keep the IPL above domestic obligations. The move has elicited varied responses, particularly given that five states remain in the running for the Shield final.

Matthew Wade was the lone exception last year, deciding to play the Sheffield Shield final with Tasmania rather than joining Gujarat Titans at the beginning of their season.

Travis Head (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Jake Fraser-McGurk (Delhi Capitals), and Spencer Johnson (Kolkata Knight Riders) have all decided to prioritize playing in IPL 2025 instead of representing South Australia in the Shield final to be played on March 26.

Xavier Bartlett, Josh Inglis, and Aaron Hardie have also joined the duty for IPL and will be representing Punjab Kings under Ricky Ponting's leadership, missing out on the last Shield round for Queensland and Western Australia.

In the future

With the IPL 2025 season soon to be underway, Marsh's return, albeit in a limited role, is a thrilling news for LSG and its fans. His skills at taking innings along at the top order and the enormous experience he possesses in T20 cricket will be useful assets. While Australia's other IPL-bound heroes will also be eager to leave their mark, it will set the stage for another action-packed season to come.