Punjab Kings pacer Lockie Ferguson injured ahead of IPL 2025; doubtful for Champions Trophy 2025

Major blow for the Indian Premier League (IPL) side Punjab Kings as one of its key pace bowler Lockie Ferguson has suffered with just weeks now remaining for the IPL 2025 season. Ferguson is also doubtful to feature for the New Zealand cricket team in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

New Zealand right-arm quick bowler Lockie Ferguson missed his team Desert Vipers’ ILT20 2025 qualifier 2 match against the Sharjah Warriorz. Stand-in captain Sam Curran confirmed that Ferguson has picked-up a hamstring injury.

Lockie Ferguson led Desert Vipers have been undoubtedly the best team in the ILT20 2025 season, finishing at the top of the points table. But, Ferguson suffered an injury during the team’s qualifier 1 match vs Dubai Capitals which the Vipers lost. He suffered the injury while bowling last over of his quota, and couldn’t complete his over.

Captain Ferguson has been the team’s one of the best performer with the ball. The Kiwi pacer has taken a total of 11 wickets in 8 matches alongwith leading the team with perfect leadership skills.

Lockie’s unavailability could be a massive concern not only for the Desert Vipers as they take on the Dubai Capitals in the final, but also for the New Zealand and Punjab Kings team.

Lockie Ferguson has included in the initial list of New Zealand’s squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 starting from 19th February. He availablity for the tournament remains in doubt and New Zealand could be forced to look for an alternate option.

Lockie Ferguson also doubtful for Punjab Kings in IPL 2025

This is also worrisome for the IPL franchise Punjab Kings. The Kings included the Kiwi pacer into their pace bowling arsenal for his base price of INR 2 Crore. Lockie was expected to form a partnership with India’s leading pace bowler in T20I, Arshdeep Singh in the IPL 2025 season.

While the Kings have another Australian pacer Xavier Bartlett in their team to replace Lockie Ferguson, but if the pacer cannot recover in time for the IPL 2025 campaign, the franchise might be forced to look for a replacement.