3 RCB Players Who Might Play Their First Match After IPL 2025 Restart

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Hazlewood and Phil Salt [Soruce: @IPL,@RcbianOfficial/x.com]Hazlewood and Phil Salt [Soruce: @IPL,@RcbianOfficial/x.com]

The IPL 2025 is all set to restart after the week-long suspension due to cross border tensions between India and their neighbouring country. As per the latest, news the tournament will get on the way from May 17th with the match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Kolkata Knight Riders at the M. Chinnaswamy Satdium in Bengaluru. 

There will be few players from all the teams who might miss the tournament due to this retsart of the tournament. RCB will be one of the teams who will be hit majorly due to the expected absence of some of their key players. While some of their key performers in the tournament might not be a part of the squad, here are three players who might play their first appearances for the franchise as it gets on the way again. 

3. Swastik Chikara

Virat Kohli with Swastik Chikara [Source: @Monish09cric/x.com]Virat Kohli with Swastik Chikara [Source: @Monish09cric/x.com]

Given the injury of Devdutt Padikkal and the probable absence of some their key top order batters like Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell, Swastik Chikara could get a chance to make his debut for RCB when the tournament restarts.

The 20 year-old right handed batter can be the stabiliser and dynamic presence in the middle-order of the RCB batting. Chikara has shown a lot of promise with the bat in the junior level and in the domestic arena. He could be the batter who can come in the top middle order play a knock that helps RCB stabilise their innings and then accelerate towards the end. 

2. Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]Mayank Agarwal [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

In a strategic mid-season acquisition, RCB has brought in experienced opener Mayank Agarwal, who was surprisingly unsold in the auction. With over 2,000 IPL runs to his name, Agarwal provides RCB with a reliable Indian batting option at the top of the order, potentially freeing up an overseas slot for the team.

His experience and ability to tackle both pace and spin will complement Virat Kohli at the top of the order, providing stability and consistency to the RCB batting lineup.

1. Nuwan Thushara

Nuwan Thushara [Source: @RcbianOfficial/x.com]Nuwan Thushara [Source: @RcbianOfficial/x.com]

The Sri Lankan pacer is known for his unusual action and his ability to execute perfect yorkers. Josh Hazlewood had done a brilliant job for RCB during IPL 2025 with his effective spells both at the start and end of the innings. However, with the WTC final coming close and him suffering a shoulder injury there is little chance that the Aussie pacer will take further part in IPL 2025.

With this conundrum in effect, RCB will have to include Nuwan Thushara in their side. The Sri Lankan pacer's presence will give dynamism and depth to the RCB bowling and a key option for them to use in death overs.