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Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings are set for a high-stakes battle in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League 2025, scheduled for Thursday. With a place in the final on the line, both teams enter this match having secured impressive league campaigns, each with nine wins in 14 games, and finishing in the top two spots. The match carries immense significance, as the winner will secure a direct ticket to the IPL final, while the loser will have another opportunity in Qualifier 2. All eyes were on RCB as Rajat Patidar returned to captaincy duties and wasted no time making an impact, winning the toss and electing to bowl first at a venue offering a firm surface and good grass cover—ideal conditions for seamers to extract early movement.
Reason behind Tim David’s absence for RCB in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1
At the toss, Patidar confirmed a crucial change for RCB, announcing the return of Australian speedster Josh Hazlewood into the playing XI in place of Nuwan Thushara. Hazlewood’s inclusion is expected to bolster RCB’s powerplay and death bowling, especially given the assistance the pitch could offer early on. Another major talking point was the absence of Tim David, who continues to be sidelined following a hamstring injury he sustained during RCB’s clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Although Patidar did not elaborate on David’s exclusion at the toss, it is widely understood that the all-rounder has not fully recovered, having also missed the last league-stage fixture against Lucknow Super Giants.
“We will bowl first. Wicket looks very hard, decent covering of grass and will try to maximize the first few overs. Everyone gave more than 100 percent in the last game, Jitesh Salt and Kohli they were tremendous. One change for us. Hazlewood comes in place of Thushara,” Patidar said after winning the toss.
Also READ: IPL 2025: Here’s how Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fared in Qualifier 1 so far
Reason behind Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen’s absence for RCB in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1
Punjab, meanwhile, are also not at full strength heading into this pivotal contest. The team will notably be without their premier leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who misses his third consecutive match due to a wrist injury. While captain Shreyas Iyer refrained from providing specifics about Chahal’s absence, the leg-spinner’s prolonged unavailability has been a setback for PBKS in the lead-up to the playoffs.
In addition to that, PBKS were hit with another blow as South African all-rounder Marco Jansen was ruled out of the qualifier. The tall left-arm pacer has flown back home to begin preparations for South Africa’s World Test Championship Final against Australia, set to begin on June 11 at Lord’s. The absence of both Chahal and Jansen weakens Punjab’s bowling attack, especially in a crunch game where experience and variety are crucial.
“Would have bowled first as well. If you look at the record here, teams batting first have done well, so I am optimistic. They (the crowd) have been tremendous and you need such kind of vibration when you enter the ground and it gives us a lot of energy as well. The way they (openers) have been showing the fearless approach and the attitude has been brilliant. Marco goes out and Azmatullah comes in for him,” captain Shreyas Iyer said at the toss.
Also READ: Here’s how Punjab Kings have fared in IPL playoffs
