Josh Hazlewood In, Liam Livingstone Out; Will Tim David Play? RCB's Probable XI vs PBKS

Josh Hazlewood and Tim David [Source: @RcbianOfficial, @mufaddal_vohra/X]

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) sustained their purple patch in the IPL 2025, as they thrashed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their final group-stage game of the tournament. This was RCB's seventh consecutive win in away games, helping them book their berth for the qualifier 1. 

Despite winning the LSG clash convincingly, RCB will likely make some changes to their combination for the qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings. With Josh Hazlewood poised to return, let's analyse and find out RCB's probable playing XI for this high-octane face-off. 

RCB's playing XI in last group-stage match vs LSG

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Mayank Agarwal, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara, Suyash Sharma
Impact player substitute: Rajat Patidar

Expected Changes In RCB's Playing XI

Josh Hazlewood to replace Nuwan Thushara

• Experienced Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood missed RCB's three group-stage matches due to a shoulder injury. Despite joining the RCB setup, Hazlewood didn't participate in the final group-stage match vs LSG, with Nuwan Thushara getting a game. 
• However, as RCB's stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma confirmed, Hazlewood is all set to be back for the qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings. Thus, although Thushara had a great day with the ball, conceding only 26 runs off his four overs against LSG, RCB will likely bench him to accommodate Hazlewood in their playing XI. 

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No Place For Out-Of-Form Livingstone; Seifert To Get A Game?

• English all-rounder Liam Livingstone has flopped in the IPL 2025, managing only 87 runs across seven innings at a horrendous average of 14.50 and a strike rate of 126.09. 
• Apart from a blistering fifty against GT, Livingstone has done nothing significant, scoring just eight runs, including two ducks, in his previous four IPL 2025 outings. 
• Thus, considering the importance of the qualifier 1, RCB might decide to drop the out-of-form player and bring Tim Seifert into their playing XI. 
• Seifert is an aggressive batter and can stabilise the RCB lineup by scoring vital runs at number three. The RCB think tank is anyway using Mayank Agarwal as a floater; so, they can easily allot the number three slot to Seifert and ask Rajat Patidar to bat at his preferred number four position. 
• On the other hand, if Tim David is fit to play the qualifier 1, it's a no-brainer for RCB to swap him with Livingstone. 

Will RCB Make Last-Minute Changes By Dropping Suyash And Yash Dayal?

(Ordinary stats of Suyash Sharma and Yash Dayal in IPL 2025)

• As shown in the above table, Suyash Sharma and Yash Dayal have underperformed with the ball for RCB, recording modest average, strike rates and economy rates. 
• However, the RCB management has shown in these two players, giving them a long rope to showcase their mettle. Also, as they have been performing exceptionally as a unit, the Royal Challengers are unlikely to tweak with their winning combination by benching these two players. 

RCB's probable XI if Tim David is still injured

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Tim Seifert, Mayank Agarwal, Jitesh Sharma (C/WK), Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma
Impact player substitute: Rajat Patidar for Suyash Sharma

RCB's probable XI if Tim David is fit

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Mayank Agarwal, Jitesh Sharma (C/WK), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma
Impact player substitute: Rajat Patidar for Suyash Sharma

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