Analyzing Josh Hazlewood’s likely replacements for RCB vs SRH encounter

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a crucial IPL 2025 encounter on Friday. If RCB are able to win this encounter, they will move to the top of the table with just one game to go. The match on Friday is set to be played at the Ekana Stadium due to torrential weather in Bengaluru. 

Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood, as per various reports, is still in Brisbane and is working hard on regaining his fitness. The 34-year-old is targeting the playoff matches and could reach India on 25th May. Hazlewood is also set to play a key role for Australia in the upcoming WTC finals. 

Josh Hazlewood has played ten games so far this season and picked 18 wickets. The veteran pacer has been one of the key reasons behind RCB’s amazing run of form this season. With Hazlewood not in the picture, Rajat Patidar and his side will have to look to strengthen the side in the coming match against Hyderabad. 

Can Nuwan Thushara do the job with the ball for RCB?

Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara was part of Mumbai Indians side last season and failed to do well. This resulted in the right-arm seamer being released and RCB eventually picked up Thushara in the IPL 2025 auctions. The right-arm seamer could be  a good fallback option for RCB till Hazlewood rejoins. 

Thushara has already played 18 matches for Sri Lanka and picked 26 wickets with an economy rate of 7.6 runs per over. The 30-year-old has a very good yorker and can bowl the slower deliveries as well. Considering the Ekana pitch does tend to slow down as the game progresses, Thushara could be the ideal player with the ball for RCB on Friday night. 

Will Liam Livingstone prove to be the X-factor for RCB?

English all-rounder Liam Livingstone has played 7 matches this season and scored just 87 runs. 54 of those runs came in the game against Gujarat Titans and since then, Livingstone has warmed the benches. Apart from his big-hitting skills, the Englishman is also a capable spin bowler. With SRH having a few left-handed batters, Livingstone could use his off-spin bowling to negate the threat that Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Kamindu Mendis bring to the table.