In an essential Indian Premier League 2025 face-off on the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Worldwide Cricket Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Rajat Patidar gained the toss and elected to bowl first in opposition to Punjab Kings (PBKS).
Talking on the toss, Patidar defined the choice by emphasizing the character of the floor and the tactical benefit of chasing. “We’re going to bowl first. Wicket appears to be like respectable, gained’t change a lot. Batting second will give extra readability in regards to the recreation and the wicket. We’re not venues, simply attempting to play good cricket,” he mentioned. RCB are hoping the circumstances stay secure all through the match and that the choice to chase pays off, particularly in a high-pressure match that would affect their playoff hopes.
Purpose behind Liam Livingstone absence from the IPL 2025 recreation at Mullanpur
One of many largest headlines earlier than the match was RCB’s daring determination to drop England all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who has endured a depressing run with the bat this season. Whereas Patidar haven’t clarified the reasoning behind Liam Livingstone’s omission, it’s evident that the first issue was the England all-rounder’s extended poor type in IPL 2025.
In his six innings to this point, Livingstone has managed solely 87 runs at a median of round 17 and a modest strike price of roughly 123. Most of these runs got here in a single knock of 51 in opposition to the Gujarat Titans. In his remaining 5 innings, the hard-hitting batter failed to attain even 20 as soon as a pointy decline from his earlier IPL type. This poor run may need compelled RCB to exchange Livingstone within the enjoying XI. Shepherd, a dynamic Caribbean all-rounder, brings power-hitting and demise bowling prowess, qualities that RCB hope can present a spark and proper the workforce’s inconsistent middle-order performances.
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Punjab Kings follow their core as Shreyas Iyer backs consistency
Whereas RCB made a high-profile change, Punjab have determined to keep up continuity by fielding the identical workforce that performed of their earlier match. Below the management of Shreyas Iyer, PBKS are backing their current group of gamers to ship constant performances. The workforce shall be trying to bounce again from their blended run this season and use their settled enjoying XI to construct rhythm and confidence. With match-winners like Marcus Stoinis, Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen of their ranks, Punjab will intention to capitalize on RCB’s mid-tournament vulnerability and safe an important win to remain within the playoff race.
Additionally WATCH: Sanju Samson reacts astonishingly as Vaibhav Suryavanshi hits his first ball for a six in IPL 2025
