Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been cleared to participate in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, though only as a batter. The 33-year-old had been uncertain about his availability for his new franchise, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), but after consulting a back specialist, he has now received the green light to play.

Marsh was ruled out of Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign due to a lower-back injury, which initially raised concerns about his involvement in the IPL 2025 season. However, after undergoing rehabilitation and a thorough medical assessment, Marsh has been cleared to play with certain restrictions.

The back specialist he has been consulting since February 2025 has advised against bowling or putting excessive strain on his back while fielding.

As a result, Marsh is expected to take on a specialised role as an impact player for LSG, which already boasts a formidable batting lineup, including captain Rishabh Pant, David Miller, and Nicholas Pooran. Despite not being able to bowl, Marsh’s experience and versatility in the middle order could make him a key asset for the team.

His absence during the Champions Trophy was a major blow for Australia, as Marsh has been a vital part of their white-ball squad in recent years. His form, however, has been inconsistent, with struggles with both bat and ball in recent fixtures. Marsh was even dropped from Australia’s Test side for the final match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, with Beau Webster replacing him in the playing XI.

Marsh had also featured in only one Big Bash League (BBL) match on January 7 after the Test series, choosing to skip the last three games of the season to recover both mentally and physically ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Unfortunately, his back issues persisted, forcing him to withdraw from the tournament.

Now cleared to play in IPL 2025, Marsh will aim to make a strong impact with the bat and help LSG in their pursuit of their first IPL title. While his bowling is ruled out, his presence in the middle order could still prove crucial to LSG’s chances of success.