Mitchell Marsh Set to Return to IPL 2025 for Lucknow Super Giants

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is reportedly gearing up to return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Marsh, who has been sidelined for several weeks due to a lower-back injury, will join the team on March 18. However, he will only be available as a batter, according to an ESPNcricinfo report.

Marsh has been managing a disc-related issue since 2024, which forced him to miss the 2025 Champions Trophy due to “lower back pain and dysfunction.” He last played cricket in January during the Big Bash League (BBL) for the Perth Scorchers. Following that, he consulted a back specialist in early February and has since been resting to recover.

Cricket Australia had earlier stated, “Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Men’s Champion’s Trophy with ongoing lower back pain and dysfunction. The National Selection Panel and Australian men’s medical team ruled Marsh out of the tournament as the injury has not responded sufficiently to rehabilitation. His lower back pain flared in recent weeks, leading the NSP to make the longer-term decision for Marsh to complete a more extended period of rehabilitation.”

As Marsh is unable to bowl, LSG is likely to utilize him as an impact player at the top of the batting order. The franchise is coached by Justin Langer, Marsh’s former coach at the Perth Scorchers and a long-time mentor.

Injuries have frequently disrupted Marsh’s IPL career. Last season, while playing for the Delhi Capitals, he suffered a hamstring tear after just four matches and had to return home for rehabilitation. Despite these setbacks, Marsh has had a decent IPL career, playing 42 matches across five teams, scoring 665 runs, and taking 37 wickets.

Meanwhile, Marsh’s Australian teammates—Mitchell Starc (Delhi Capitals), Pat Cummins (SunRisers Hyderabad, captain), and Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)—are all expected to be fit for IPL 2025. The trio also missed the Champions Trophy, where Australia was defeated by India in the semi-finals.