The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were having a great run in IPL 2025 before the tournament had to be suspended in the wake of the rising cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. With the toutnament set to resume from May 17, Rajat Patidar and his men will look to continue the momentum. However, there was still a question about how many of their foreign players would be available for the remaining league games.
The Bengaluru franchise got a timely boost ahead of the game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as all-rounders Liam Livingstone and Romario Shepherd have returned for the last leg of the tournament. Shepherd might not have gotten a lot of games this season, but he was extremely impressive against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he scored a record 14-ball fifty. Livingstone has had a quiet season but is certainly capable of making crucial contributions with both bat and ball.
Though the return of the two swashbuckling all-rounders is a massive positive for the team, Shepherd’s availability for the remainder of the tournament is not certain since he will also be part of the West Indies squad for the series against England, starting on May 29. Livingstone, on the other hand, has been left out of the squad for that series and will be available for all the remaining matches.
Availability of other notable players
Apart from Livingstone, the other English star who has joined the RCB camp is Jacob Bethell. The 21-year-old will not be part of the playoffs, if RCB go on to qualify, as he will be flying back to England ahead of the last league fixture against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). England opener Philip Salt and Aussie finisher will be available for the rest of the tournament since they have no international commitments.
Josh Hazlewood set to rejoin RCB despite injury concerns
Meanwhile, RCB, who were sweating over the availability of star pace bowler Josh Hazlewood, have received a shot in the arm as the pacer is set to rejoin as well. However, the date of his return is yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, the return of Lungi Ngidi is not confirmed. Notably, both Hazlewood and Ngidi are part of their respective nations’ squads for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, which will start from June 11. One of the likely replacements for the two could be Lankan pacer Nuwan Thusara, who is yet to get a game this year.
