Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is expected to join the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season as a specialist batter, despite ongoing struggles with a lower-back injury. According to an ESPNcricinfo report, Marsh will travel to India on March 18 but will not bowl due to medical restrictions.
Marsh has been managing a disc-related injury since 2024 and was ruled out of the 2025 Champions Trophy due to persistent “lower back pain and dysfunction.” Cricket Australia confirmed his absence in a statement, saying, “The National Selection Panel and Australian men’s medical team ruled Marsh out of the tournament with the injury, which 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.”
Mitchell Marsh’s injury Woes
The 32-year-old last played competitive cricket in January during the Big Bash League (BBL) for the Perth Scorchers. He subsequently consulted a back specialist in February and underwent a rest period. LSG, coached by Marsh’s former Scorchers mentor Justin Langer, plans to deploy him as an impact player at the top of the batting order.
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Marsh’s IPL career has been repeatedly disrupted by fitness issues. During the 2024 season, he played just four matches for the Delhi Capitals before tearing his hamstring and returning home. Overall, he has scored 665 runs and taken 37 wickets in 42 IPL matches across five franchises.
Australian Pace Trio Set for IPL Return
Meanwhile, Marsh’s Australian teammates Mitchell Starc (Delhi Capitals), Pat Cummins (SunRisers Hyderabad captain), and Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) are expected to be fit for IPL 2025. All three missed the Champions Trophy, where Australia lost to India in the semi-finals.
Cricket Australia added that Marsh will now focus on “further rest and rehabilitation” as part of his recovery plan. The selection panel will announce his Champions Trophy replacement soon.
