The crisis deepens on the hopes of breaking the 17-year drought, injury and national duty increased difficulties
RCB’s IPL 2025 Title Bid at Risk as five key players of the team may be absent from the playoffs and knockout matches due to injuries and national duty. At the time when RCB felt that they were going to wait for their trophy after 17 years, at that very moment the luck changed. RCB can reach the playoffs with a win against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the remaining matches of IPL starting from May 17, but the absence of players has deepened the crisis.
Injury and National Duty: Double blow for RCB
- Devdutt Padikkal: Out of the tournament due to hamstring injury.
- Josh Hazlewood: Shoulder pain made him miss the match against CSK, now selected in Australia’s WTC final team.
- Rajat Patidar: Injured while fielding in CSK match, BCCI eyeing England tour.
- Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell: Miss playoffs due to England’s West Indies ODI series (from May 29).
- Romario Shepherd: Likely to feature in West Indies’ Ireland series (from May 21).
Hazlewood and Patidar’s fitness in question
The biggest concern for RCB is the fitness of captain Rajat Patidar and bowler Josh Hazlewood. Patidar did not bat in practice against LSG and the BCCI wants to see him fit for the England Test series (from June). Hazlewood, on the other hand is part of Australia’s WTC squad making his availability uncertain.
Darkness over return of English duo
England’s Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell returned to the country on May 8 after the IPL suspension. However, with the IPL restarting from May 17, their return is doubtful due to the ODI series starting on May 29. Salt has been included in England’s T20I squad, which begins on June 6.
Shepherd’s Ireland vs IPL Dilemma
West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd played a key role in winning the match against CSK. But the West Indies Cricket Board (CWI) may call him to play in the ODI series (May 21-25) against Ireland. This series is important for West Indies after missing the 2023 World Cup qualification, which may lead to Shepherd leaving the IPL.
Impact on RCB strategy
- Batting: Middle order weak without Padikkal and Rajat Patidar.
- Bowling: Bhubaneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal have extra responsibility in the absence of Hazelwood.
- Foreign players crisis: Team balance deteriorated without Salt, Bethell and Shepherd.
Fans react: “RCB’s IPL 2025 Title Bid at Risk”
RCB fans have expressed disappointment on social media. One fan wrote, “Luck always betrays RCB.” Some expressed their displeasure at BCCI and ECB and said, “IPL should be saved from clash with international cricket.”
What is RCB’s Plan B?
- Trust in youth: Opportunity to Suyash Prabhudesai and Mahip Lomror.
- Captaincy: Leadership to Jitesh Sharma in the absence of Rajat Patidar.
- Role of all-rounders: Krunal Pandya and Tim David will have to bowl extra overs.
Race for playoffs: Competition with Gujarat and Kolkata
RCB may have to face teams like Gujarat Titans (GT) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2025 playoffs. GT is at the top of the points table, while KKR has a strong performance on the home pitch.
Conclusion:
The situation of RCB IPL 2025 Title Bid at Risk has hurt the expectations of the fans. Injury, national duty and clash of tournament schedule have made the team’s path more difficult. However, cricket is a game of uncertainties will RCB be able to change history this time? Fans’ eyes are now set on the KKR match on May 17!
Also Read : Buttler, Bethell, Jacks will be absent from IPL 2025 Playoffs