RCB have received a major boost for their IPL 2025 playoffs Qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings. Star pacer Josh Hazlewood has returned after a shoulder injury. Captain Rajat Patidar is also fully fit and takes over the reins from Jitesh Sharma. Tim David continues to miss out due to a hamstring injury, while Nuwan Thushara also makes way.
RCB Playing XI vs PBKS: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma
RCB substitutes: Mayank Agarwal, Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh.
Captain Rajat Patidar, Josh Hazlewood return to RCB XI, No Tim David
Rajat Patidar has returned to full fitness and is back leading RCB in their Qualifier 1 clash against the Punjab Kings in Mullanpur. Patidar had suffered a finger injury earlier in IPL 2025 and featured only as an impact substitute in the last two games. Jitesh Sharma led the side in Patidar’s injury absence, but now the Madhya Pradesh takes over for the knockouts.
While Jacob Bethell and Lungi Ngidi are unavailable due to national duty, RCB welcome back ace pacer Josh Hazlewood. The Australian suffered a shoulder injury and returned to Brisbane to recover. With Australia featuring in the WTC Final in 2 weeks time, his return was unclear. However, Hazlewood has shown great commitment to RCB and has returned for the knockouts.
Great news! It’s a hat-trick of toss wins for us and we bowl first tonight
Team news for the all-important Qualifier 1!
Josh is
, replacing Thushara!
#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2025 #PBKSvRCB @qatarairways pic.twitter.com/81kvIsf0Ro
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 29, 2025
Despite missing 4 games, Josh Hazlewood is still RCB’s leading wicket taker in IPL 2025. The veteran Australian has 18 wickets in just 10 games, and is 4th in the Purple Cap leaderboard. Hazlewood averages 17.27, only behind Jasprit Bumrah among pacers this season.
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