Credit: IPL
With the IPL 2025 playoffs underway, former India cricketer and current commentator Sanjay Bangar has suggested a few key changes to Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) playing XI ahead of their crucial Qualifier 1 clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on May 29 in New Chandigarh.
RCB, still chasing their first-ever IPL title, booked a top-two finish with a dramatic six-wicket win over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their final league game. After being asked to bowl first, RCB conceded a massive 227/3, thanks to a blistering unbeaten century from LSG skipper Rishabh Pant (118* off 61). But RCB responded in style, chasing down the target in just 18.4 overs, their third-highest successful chase in IPL history.
Stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma stole the show with a sensational unbeaten 85 off just 33 balls, while Virat Kohli also chipped in with a crucial half-century, helping RCB pull off a memorable win.
Now, ahead of the knockout clash, Bangar has called for RCB to tighten up their bowling attack to counter Punjab’s explosive batting, which has crossed the 200-run mark six or seven times this season.
He specifically recommended retaining Nuwan Thushara, who bowled a tidy spell (1/26) against LSG and bringing back Josh Hazlewood and Tim David into the side. To accommodate them, he suggested dropping Liam Livingstone and Romario Shepherd.
“Play Thushara instead of Livingstone. That will really strengthen the bowling. Then you can have Phil Salt, Thushara, Josh Hazlewood, and Tim David as your four overseas players,” Bangar said on Star Sports. “Livingstone hasn’t been scoring, just 87 runs in seven innings and he got out on the first ball against LSG. He’s not offering enough to hold his spot.”
While Shepherd did contribute a quickfire 53* earlier in the tournament and has bowled economically at times, his performance against LSG was expensive, conceding 51 runs.
Bangar concluded, “If Livingstone isn’t delivering with the bat, RCB should go all-in on their bowling strength. That combination could really work in their favor against a high-scoring team like Punjab.”
