Jitesh Sharma provides colossal update on Tim David, Josh Hazlewood's availability for IPL 2025 playoffs

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma has provided a colossal update on the availability of the star batter Tim David and premier pacer Josh Hazlewood for the IPL 2025 playoffs.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are taking on the Lucknow Super Giants in the final league stage match of the Indian Premier League 2025 on Tuesday, May 27, at the Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

Also Read: Revealed: Why is Rajat Patidar not captaining RCB in today's match vs LSG in IPL 2025?

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Tim David and Josh Hazlewood miss out on the LSG vs RCB clash

Royal Challengers Bengaluru suffered a colossal blow in their previous Indian Premier League match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad as Tim David suffered a hamstring injury while fielding.

Although he came out to bat in the second innings, he was unable to run and got dismissed without registering a big score, which resulted in RCB facing a 42-run loss.

Talking about Josh Hazlewood, he had missed RCB's last match before the IPL 2025 was suspended due to a shoulder niggle and traveled back to Australia for rehab.

He has now returned to India and joined the Royal Challengers Bengaluru camp, but he didn't play the match against the Lucknow Super Giants. Notably, he was seen bowling in the nets, and many expected him to feature in the playing XI, but he was not included.

Jitesh Sharma provides a colossal update on Tim David, Josh Hazlewood

Speaking at the toss, Jitesh Sharma dropped positive news, saying that the premier pacer Josh Hazlewood will be part of the RCB playing XI in the next game, and Tim David will also be back very soon. He said:

"Josh Hazlewood will be back in the next game, Tim David will make a comeback soon."

Jitesh Sharma further confirmed the inclusion of Nuwan Thushara in the team in place of Lungi Ngidi and added that Liam Livingstone will replace David. He said:

"If we win, we will finish in top 2 that is an added advantage. Tim David and Lungi Ngidi are out. Liam Livingstone and Nuwan Thushara are in."

As a team you want to play fearless cricket - Rishabh Pant

Speaking at the toss, Rishabh Pant said that they showed a glimpse of what they can do as a team in IPL 2025. He said:

"The wicket still looks a good batting track. We don't mind batting first here. We have shown a glimpse of what we can do as a team in our last game. We couldn't hold it for a long period of time. That happens in cricket. We will try to take it forward."

Rishabh Pant further said that they want to play fearless cricket. He said:

"As a team, you want to play fearless cricket. You want to keep adding value to the team. We have said that till the last ball has been bowled, we are going to give our 100%. We have 2 changes. Digvesh Rathi comes back in again and also Breetzke comes in."