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Updated 28 May 2025 at 17:12 IST

IPL 2025, Qualifier 1: Nuwan Thushara Or Liam Livingstone? RCB's Selection Dilemma Gets Answered Ahead Of Punjab Kings Encounter

Following their resounding win over Lucknow Super Giants, RCB will face Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 in Mullanpur on Thursday, May 29.

Reported by: Anirban Sarkar
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Liam Livingstone and Nuwan Thushara
Liam Livingstone and Nuwan Thushara | Image: BCCI

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have emerged as one of the contenders for the IPL 2025 title. RCB crushed the Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets to set up a Qualifier 1 match-up with the Punjab Kings.

RCB Brushed Off LSG Challenge To Secure Qualifier 1

With his 2nd IPL century, Rishabh Pant lit up the Ekana Stadium with a fiery 61-ball 118. The LSG captain ended his prolonged IPL 2025 drought with a hammer blow to the RCB bowling lineup, and he was ably helped by Mitchell Marsh as the homeside posted a whopping 227 runs on the board. RCB had a solid start to the chase as Virat Kohli and Phil Salt combined for 61 runs in the opening stand. Successive wickets put up a challenge to RCB's top two hopes, but Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal pulled off a blinder as RCB picked up a six-wicket win to finish in the 2nd position.

Also Read: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Star Jitesh Sharma Receives Massive Praise From Ex-SRH Coach For His 85-Run Knock Vs LSG: 'The Innings Of IPL 2025'

Also Read: RCB Leave Previous Champions MI, CSK And KKR Behind By Becoming The First-Ever IPL Team To Register Unique Record

Nuwan Thushara or Liam Livingstone? Who Should Get The Nod

Nuwan Thushara got the nod ahead of Liam Livinsgtone and the Sri Lankan fast bowler gave a very good account of himself, conceding just 26 runs in four overs, picking up the wicket of Matthew Breetzke. RCB are expected to have a selection dilemma as they will have to choose between Thushara and Livingstone. Former RCB head coach Sanjay Bangar feels Thushara should get the green light as it would provide solidity to RCB's bowling lineup.

"Play Thushara in place of Livingstone. Then the bowling will become incredible. Then Phil Salt, Thushara, Josh Hazlewood, and Tim David for Romario Shepherd. The Punjab team is against them, and Punjab have crossed 200 runs six or seven times this season.

“Livingstone, who is playing as an overseas batter, is not scoring runs. So, make your bowling totally strong. I feel that combination can be made.”

The Thursday weather for Qualifier 1 in Mullanpur doesn't have a rain threat. But if rain does play a spoilsport, PBKS will go through to the final on the virtue of finishing at the top of the IPL table.

Published 28 May 2025 at 17:12 IST