RCB forced to include Liam Livingstone in Playing XI for rest of IPL 2025: Aakash Chopra

The ex-Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has admitted that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be in a tough situation for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The 47-year-old pointed out that the RCB might have to bring in the England all-rounder Liam Livingstone in the Playing XI during the playoffs stage as the side is just a win away from confirming its qualification.

The Bengaluru-based franchise will reportedly miss Josh Hazlewood services in the clash against the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 17 and the rest of the season. Jacob Bethell and Lungi Ngidi too might not be available to the team for the playoffs, if they reach that stage since both have national commitments on their heads, which Chopra feels is going to hurt the Bengaluru-based franchise.

"RCB already do not have Josh Hazlewood. They will not have Jacob Bethell, Romario Shepherd and Lungi Ngidi. They will miss four players when they reach the playoffs, which means these players won't be there for the most crucial matches. Jacob Bethell not being there is okay because Phil Salt is available," he said on his YouTube Channel.

The former opening batter insisted that RCB might have to include Livingstone and Nuwan Thushara into their main combination, unless they sign replacements for their unavailable overseas players. He also mentioned that the absence of Jacob Bethell might not hurt the franchise, as Phil Salt can be positioned in place of him.

"He (Salt) too is part of the T20 team, but the T20 series is starting on June 6. So he is available till the final if RCB reach there. However, Josh Hazlewood not being there, and if Lungi Ngidi, who was considered to be his backup, and Romario Shepherd are also not there, suddenly, you will have to play Liam Livingstone in the XI and go with Nuwan Thushara, unless, of course, you sign somebody else," the Agra-born added.

Livingstone has scored just 87 runs in six innings at an average of 17.40 in IPL 2025. Sri Lanka's Thushara, on the other hand, Thushara is yet to play a game this season.