Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has shed light on Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s issues for the rest of the IPL 2025, which will resume on May 17. Chopra highlighted that RCB might have to play out-of-form Liam Livingstone due to the unavailability of some of their players.
RCB is expected to miss the services of their fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who might not return back to India after suffering a shoulder niggle. Furthermore, the likes of Jacob Bethell, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, and Lungi Ngidi might miss the playoffs if RCB confirm their qualification.
“RCB already do not have Josh Hazlewood. They will not have Jacob Bethell, Romario Shepherd and Lungi Ngidi. They will miss four players when they reach the playoffs, which means these players won’t be there for the most crucial matches. Jacob Bethell not being there is okay because Phil Salt is available,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“He (Salt) too is part of the T20 team, but the T20 series is starting on June 6. So he is available till the final if RCB reach there. However, Josh Hazlewood not being there, and if Lungi Ngidi, who was considered to be his backup, and Romario Shepherd are also not there, suddenly, you will have to play Liam Livingstone in the XI and go with Nuwan Thushara, unless, of course, you sign somebody else,” he added.
On the other hand, the renowned commentator believes Punjab Kings will suffer a massive blow if Marco Jansen goes on to miss the rest of the season.
“Punjab doesn’t know about Josh Inglis. He will probably not come. After that, Marco Jansen will go, and Marco Jansen will be a massive dent in my opinion. They have Azmatullah Omarzai and Xavier Bartlett, again an Australian, so I don’t know what he would do,” he said (5:55) in the same video.
It has been reported that South African players have agreed to stay in India till the end of the IPL 2025, on June 3. The Proteas will kick-start their preparation for the WTC Final against Australia after June 3.
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