LISTICLE
Follow UsThe Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) nearly gave up on their overseas entourage of the last season, retaining none. However, they acquired some exciting talents in the form of the English trio of Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell. They also got Australian duo Josh Hazlewood and Tim David. South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi, West Indies’ Romario Shepherd and Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thushara complete their overseas players list.
Here are the top four candidates who could make it to the RCB playing 11 in IPL 2025:
Liam Livingstone
Livingstone has been part of the IPL since 2019, initially playing for the Rajasthan Royals and then getting a huge contract from the Punjab Kings. Now, he has moved down south to Bengaluru and is expected to draw from his 39-game IPL experience, during which he has scored 939 runs at a strike rate of 162.46 with six fifties.
Livingstone, who can bowl off and leg spin equally well, would also be one of the prime bowling options for the RCB unit, and they would want him to increase his tally of 11 wickets. His ability to contribute both with bat and ball and his being a gun fielder makes his case for inclusion in the squad very strong.
Josh Hazlewood
One of the most disciplined bowlers in the world, Josh Hazlewood, was thought not to be able to achieve the desired success in the shortest format. But with just four seasons in the richest and most followed league in the world, the Australian already has 35 wickets at an average of 23 and an economy rate of just over 8.
If fit, Hazlewood would be the first-choice fast bowler for the RCB, as he has proved himself at every stage. The 34-year-old has 136 wickets in 107 T20s so far.
Phil Salt
Bought at the auction for INR 11.5 Cr, Salt brings the much-needed spice to the RCB batting lineup after they let go of the likes of Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell and Will Jacks. The Lancashire man smashed 435 runs at an average of nearly 40 in the 2024 IPL. However, he was not retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders, and as a result, RCB pounced on the opportunity to buy him to strengthen their top order.
He would most likely open with Kohli and could be used as an impact player as RCB also have Jitesh Sharma in the ranks as a wicketkeeping option.
Tim David
With the reputation of finishing the games, David fits in the right slot for RCB after Dinesh Karthik retired from the tournament. The Australian batter, who could roll his arm for a little bit of spin, would have tough competition from young and upcoming English talent Jacob Bethell. Though Bathell has mostly played in the top-order, he can hit the long ball and bow better than David.
David’s experience of 254 T20s across leagues in the world suggests that he is more than capable enough to win games on his own.
