Follow UsThe Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has probably been the best season in recent memory as far as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are concerned. They have had both their departments (batting and bowling) firing in tandem, a rarity for the fans and the players alike.
That has led to the Rajat Patidar-led side remaining at the second position in the IPL 2025 points table before the season had to be suspended on May 9 due to border conflicts. After resumption on May 17, RCB are one of the hot favourites to finish in the top two.
However, once they are in the playoffs, the Bengaluru-based side would have to make do without the services of many of its important players, which might change the balance of the team.
Josh Hazlewood might not be available to play even the last three league games, let alone the playoffs, due to injury. Apart from him, South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi, England’s Jacob Bethell and West Indies’ Romario Shepherd will most likely not be available for RCB.
Hazlewood is already carrying a niggle and the Australian team would not look to risk him given that he is one of the key members of the Test squad that will be up against South Africa in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 Final, starting June 11 in England.
Ngidi has been named in the South African squad for the main event as well and would have to join the team prior to June 1 as they would assemble to prepare for a practice game against Zimbabwe that would start on June 3 in England.
England and West Indies are scheduled to play a limited-overs series, starting May 29 and therefore Shepherd (West Indies) and Bethell (England) will be appearing for their national sides, meaning that they would have to abandon their IPL campaign before May 29. Both players have been named in their respective sides' ODI squads.
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Liam Livingstone, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thusahara.
The major change in RCB's XI, if they make it to the playoffs, will be Sri Lankan speedster Nuwan Thushara taking the place of Josh Hazlewood / Lungi Ngidi. Phil Salt will return to the top of the order, while Livingstone could take the place of Shepherd. Skipper Patidar will have to move up one spot to No.3 as Devdutt Padikkal is out with injury.
RCB would have to decide between either Swastik Chikara or Rasikh Dar on whom to play and what to strengthen, batting or bowling, in case Patidar, who is currently injured, does not get fit ahead of the playoffs.
Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Liam Livingstone, Swapnil Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Philip Salt, Nuwan Thushara, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh