Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have been fortified by the return of all-rounders Romario Shepherd and Liam Livingstone for the rescheduled final phase of IPL 2025, which resumes on May 17 and concludes with the final on June 3. With 16 points from 11 matches, RCB are well-positioned to secure a top-four finish and qualify for the playoffs starting May 29. However, international commitments and injuries present significant challenges to their campaign.
Key Player Returns
Romario Shepherd rejoins RCB but faces uncertainty due to his selection in the West Indies ODI squad for series against Ireland (May 21-25) and England (starting May 29), the latter coinciding with the IPL playoffs. Cricket West Indies has not clarified whether players can prioritize IPL duties, leaving RCB uncertain about Shepherd’s availability for the knockout stages (West Indies ODI Squad).
Liam Livingstone, dropped from England’s ODI and T20I squads for their series against West Indies, returns with full availability. His presence adds depth to RCB’s batting and bowling, crucial for their playoff aspirations.
Jacob Bethell, an English all-rounder, has also rejoined but is available only for the next two fixtures against Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He will depart before the match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) due to England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) No Objection Certificates (NOCs) expiring on May 25, the original IPL final date (England White-Ball Series). This also impacts his participation in England’s Test series against Zimbabwe starting May 29.
Challenges with Other Players
Lungi Ngidi, who debuted for RCB on May 3 against Chennai Super Kings, may also miss the final league-stage match against LSG, as he is part of South Africa’s World Test Championship (WTC) final squad, set to depart by May 25.
On a positive note, Phil Salt, the English opener, has recovered from illness and is confirmed to be available for the entirety of IPL 2025. His international commitments with England’s T20I series against West Indies begin on June 6, after the IPL final, ensuring his full participation. Stuart Littlejohn’s inclusion in England’s T20I squad for their series against West Indies starting June 6, post-IPL final, ensures his availability.
RCB’s Playoff Prospects
RCB’s strong performance, with 16 points from 11 matches, positions them favorably for a playoff berth. Recent analyses suggest that one more win could secure their spot in the top four. However, the team must navigate the complexities of player availability and injuries to maintain their momentum.
As IPL 2025 resumes, RCB’s management faces the challenge of optimizing their squad amidst these constraints. The return of Shepherd, Livingstone, and Bethell provides a boost, but the potential early exits of Shepherd, Bethell, and Ngidi, will test the team’s depth. Salt’s full availability offers stability in the batting order, which will be critical in high-stakes matches.
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