Josh Hazlewood Unavailable; Phil Salt In For Bethell? RCB Probable XI vs SRH

Debashis Sarangi

Phil Salt and Josh Hazlewood [Source: @KohlikaDost18, @Varungiri0/X]Phil Salt and Josh Hazlewood [Source: @KohlikaDost18, @Varungiri0/X]

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in match number 65 of the IPL 2025 today. The high-voltage clash will be played at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. 

Led by Rajat Patidar, RCB have already qualified for the playoffs. They have secured eight wins in 12 matches, claiming the second place in the IPL 2025 points table. 

However, the Red Brigade has several selection headaches heading to the SRH clash, with ace speedster Josh Hazlewood set to miss the game. 

Who Will Play In Place Of Josh Hazlewood?

Australian speedster Josh Hazlewood hasn't rejoined RCB after the IPL's resumption. Hazlewood, who was sidelined from the CSK affair, is rehabilitating from shoulder injury in Brisbane. 

Thus, South African pacer Lungi Ngidi seems the frontrunner to take up Hazlewood's spot in RCB playing XI. It's worth mentioning that Ngidi replaced the Aussie seamer in the last game against CSK, scalping three crucial wickets. 

The Phil Salt vs Jacob Bethell Dilemma

Criterion
Salt
Bethell
Innings92
Runs23967
Average26.5633.50
SR168.31171.79

(Salt and Bethell in IPL 2025)

Explosive English batter Phil Salt was ruled out of RCB's group-stage games against DC and CSK due to illness. However, as per the latest update, Salt has been declared fit and could make his comeback against SRH tonight. 

In Salt's absence, Jacob Bethell performed admirably for RCB as an opener, amassing 67 runs, including a scintillating fifty, in two outings. In such a scenario, the RCB management will have to pick only one between Salt and Bethell to partner Virat Kohli at the top order. 

Is Rajat Patidar Fit To Play vs SRH?

RCB captain Rajat Patidar suffered an injury scare, as a finger injury put question marks over his participation in the remaining IPL 2025 matches. 

However, the tournament's suspension ensured Patidar's timely recovery from the injury, and, as revealed by Andy Flower, the swashbuckling right-handed batter will likely play the upcoming game against SRH. 

Meanwhile, Devdutt Padikkal has been ruled out due to injury and will likely be replaced by Mayank Agarwal in RCB's playing XI. 

RCB's Probable Playing XI vs SRH

Jacob Bethell/Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Lungi Ngidi, Suyash Sharma
Impact Player: Mayank Agarwal