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RCB's Glaring Loopholes: Problems That Kohli And Co. Should Address Before Qualifier 1 Vs PBKS

Debashis Sarangi

RCB will face PBKS in IPL 2025 qualifier 1 [Source: AP]RCB will face PBKS in IPL 2025 qualifier 1 [Source: AP]

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made a grand entry into the IPL 2025 qualifier 1 after defeating Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by six wickets in their final group-stage match of the season. Although Rishabh Pant's century powered LSG to a massive 227-run total, the visitors chased down the target comfortably, with Jitesh Sharma playing a blinder. 

However, despite a morale-boosting win, RCB have several grey areas to assess before the qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings, as mentioned below. 

1. Rajat Patidar's Dwindling Form

Criterion
Data
Innings12
Runs271
Average22.58
Strike Rate140.41

(Rajat Patidar's stats in IPL 2025)

  • RCB captain Rajat Patidar has failed to live up to his potential in the IPL this season. The dynamic right-handed batter had a magnificent start to the tournament, slamming blistering fifties against CSK and MI. However, his recent struggles have weakened the RCB middle order with the team heavily relying on keeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. 
  • In his previous eight IPL 2025 innings, the MP batter has managed only 110 runs at a mediocre average of 13.75. Thus, with Virat Kohli and Phil Salt ensuring solid starts in almost every game, Patidar must rise up to the occasion to ensure a dream outing for RCB in the qualifier 1. 

2. Livingstone Not Living Up To The Mark

Criterion
Data
Innings7
Runs87
Average14.50
Strike Rate126.09

(Liam Livingstone in IPL 2025)

  • England's experienced middle-order batter Liam Livingstone replaced Tim David in the playing XI vs LSG, with the latter getting sidelined due to an injury. However, Livingstone failed to make his mark, being dismissed for a golden duck in the high-voltage contest. 
  • Overall, Livingstone has been nothing short of a disappointment for RCB this season, managing only 87 runs at a horrible average of 14.50. With Patidar not converting his stats into significant scores, Livingstone's dismal returns could be a big blow to RCB, especially if they suffer a top-order collapse in the qualifier 1.  

3. The Sorry State Of RCB Bowling Attack Without Hazlewood

Criterion
With Hazlewood
Without Hazlewood
Runs Given1652669
Wickets6314
Average26.2247.78
Strike Rate17.89
25.71
Economy8.7911.15

(Performance of RCB with and without Hazlewood)

  • As shown in the above table, RCB have heavily relied on Josh Hazlewood to succeed with the ball in IPL 2025. Statistically, the team has averaged 26.22 in Hazlewood's presence while conceding almost 48 runs to bag a wicket in his absence. 
  • More importantly, the economy of RCB bowlers read 11.15 in the matches that the fast bowler has missed as opposed to only 8.79 in those he has played. 
  • Although Jitesh Sharma confirmed that Hazlewood would return to RCB's playing XI for qualifier 1, the other bowlers must realise that he can't be the lone warrior for the team, particularly with injury concerns looming over him. 
  • Thus, RCB would be hopeful of a spirited team effort rather than a one-man show, which is actually tough for Hazlewood to execute in the aftermath of a shoulder injury.