A couple of days after the South African cricket team's coach Shukri Conrad demanded that Proteas players return from the Indian Premier League (IPL) on May 26, despite the final being shifted to June 3, there were suggestions of a U-turn from Cricket South Africa (CSA)

The CSA's director of cricket had claimed that the board's top brass was in conversation with the IPL, which had indicated that South African players will be allowed to play the entire tournament despite the World Test Championship (WTC) final looming.

For those unversed, the Proteas will play the summit clash of the event for the first time when the Temba Bavuma-led side face off against Australia from June 11 at Lord's. The South African cricket team have the chance to win a first ICC senior event trophy since 1998.

It has now emerged as per a report by EspnCricinfo, that CSA and IPL have concluded an agreement with the IPL and have been allowed an early release of their players, who are part of the squad for the mega clash. It has now emerged that all eight players who are playing the IPL and also part of South Africa's 15-man squad for the WTC final will leave India on May 27. South Africa is set to face Zimbabwe in a four-day match from June 3 in a warm-up match and want all players available to sharpen preparations.

This allows all players to play the entire league stage, which ends on May 27, but they will miss all playoffs game. For those unversed, the first qualifier is scheduled for May 29, while the eliminator and second qualifier are allocated on May 30 and June 1. The summit clash of the 18th edition will take place on June 3.

Gujarat Titans (Kagiso Rabada), Punjab Kings (Marco Jansen), Mumbai Indians (WIll Jacks, Corbin Bosch), Delhi Capitals (Tristan Stubbs), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Lungi Ngidi), Lucknow Super Giants (Aiden Markram), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (Wiaan Mulder).

This comes as a huge blow as apart from Sunrisers, each of the above teams are still in the playoff race. While the Super Giants also nearly knocked out to, four of the five teams among Capitals, Titans, Royal Challengers, Indians, and Kings will play the playoffs unless for a miracle.

However, all South African players that are not part of the WTC final squad will stay in India till the end of the tournament.

This comes as a blow to franchises ahead of the re-start as England players that are part of the ODI squad against West Indies will also miss the playoffs. There is still more information awaited on the status of Australian players and if they will stay till the final.

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