Josh Hazlewood back? RCB predicted playing XI for IPL 2025 playoffs

Mayank Bande

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Josh Hazlewood back? RCB predicted playing XI for IPL 2025 playoffs image

[BCCI/Sportzpics]

Royal Challengers Bengaluru RCB

With a strong IPL 2025, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have now sealed their fifth playoff qualification in their last six seasons.

With the top 2 finish, RCB will play the Qualifier 1 match against top-placed Punjab Kings at Mullanpur in New Chandigarh. 

Heading into the playoffs, RCB faces a couple of injury issues, including the potential unavailability of Tim David, who pulled his hamstring against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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However, despite David's absence against LSG, RCB will welcome the return of their ace pacer, Josh Hazlewood, back to the squad.

Overall, RCB has had a balanced roster of the first 13-14 players that they have relied upon this season — most of them have also repaid the faith shown to them.

As RCB eye their fourth final appearance and a maiden title, TSN takes a look at the potential playing XI that they could field in the playoffs.

READ MORE: More patience? RCB's IPL title drought compared to England's last FIFA World Cup win in 1966

RCB predicted playing XI: How will they lineup in IPL 2025 playoffs?

With the Aussie speedster, Hazlewood, back in the mix after the injury, RCB will breathe a sigh of relief, given how good he has been this season, which has taken the team till this stage.

He will come back and claim the spot by replacing Lungi Ngidi in the XI. David, on the other hand, would be their first choice in the XI; while he is unlikely to play the final league match, the Australian is expected to be available for the playoffs.

Another issue they would want resolved is the vacant number 3 spot after Devdutt Padikkal's injury. For now, Mayank Agarwal has filled in and played an important innings in the final league game against RCB.

READ MORE: Who will replace the injured Tim David vs LSG?

Here is RCB's predicted playing 11 for the IPL 2025 playoffs:

  1. Virat Kohli
  2. Phil Salt
  3. Mayank Agarwal
  4. Rajat Patidar
  5. Jitesh Sharma
  6. Tim David/Liam Livingstone
  7. Romario Shepherd
  8. Krunal Pandya
  9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
  10. Yash Dayal
  11. Josh Hazlewood
  12. Suyash Sharma

Mayank Bande

Mayank Bande has been a content producer at The Sporting News since 2023 and has extensive experience in cricket writing. His work has previously appeared on platforms like OneCricket and Last Word on Sports. Beyond cricket, Mayank closely follows football as an FC Barcelona supporter, along with tennis and Olympic sports. Despite holding a degree in Business Administration, he chose to pursue a career in sports, bringing sharp analysis to his writing as someone who once played cricket.