The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have received a significant morale and squad boost ahead of the final phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, as two major overseas players—Romario Shepherd and Liam Livingstone—have rejoined the team. This move comes at a crucial juncture in the tournament as the franchise aims to solidify their position at the top of the points table and prepare for a strong playoff run.

RCB, who currently sit second on the points table with eight wins from 11 matches, were dealing with some uncertainty around the availability of their international players. The timely return of Romario Shepherd, who had briefly left India for national commitments, provides the team with much-needed depth in their all-round department. Shepherd returned to India alongside his West Indies teammates—Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Dwayne Bravo, all of whom are part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) contingent.

Romario Shepherd’s Role and Uncertainty Ahead

While Romario Shepherd is back with the RCB squad, there is still uncertainty around his availability for the playoffs. He has been picked in the West Indies ODI squad for the upcoming home series against England, which begins on May 29. As of now, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has not made an official statement regarding player availability for the IPL playoffs. Given the proximity of the series to the IPL schedule, Shepherd might be available only for a portion of the remaining matches or could miss the playoffs altogether if CWI mandates national duty first.

Liam Livingstone’s Return Adds Firepower

In a separate but equally important development, Liam Livingstone, the dynamic English all-rounder, has rejoined the RCB squad. Livingstone was recently dropped from both England’s ODI and T20I squads, which has unexpectedly freed him up for the IPL. His return is timely for RCB, especially with the playoffs looming, and he adds critical firepower in the middle-order and can be used as a part-time spinner on slower surfaces.

Another England youngster, Jacob Bethell, is already with the RCB line-up and will be available for two more games—against KKR and SRH. He was picked in England’s squad for the ODI series against West Indies but wasn't included in the Test team for the Zimbabwe tour, which begins May 22. This limited availability means RCB must plan their team combinations carefully, ensuring they get the most out of Bethell’s contributions before his departure.

Josh Hazlewood's Comeback Is a Game-Changer

Arguably one of the biggest pieces of news is the expected return of Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood. Known for his accuracy and ability to bowl in the powerplay and death overs, Hazlewood’s presence could be a game-changer for RCB, especially on pitches that assist seamers. With Lungi Ngidi unlikely to be available due to his inclusion in South Africa's squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia, Hazlewood’s return becomes even more critical.

Other Availability Updates

According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, Phil Salt—another key England player—will continue to be available for the entirety of the IPL 2025 season. He has only been selected in England’s T20I squad for the West Indies series, which begins on June 6, well after the conclusion of IPL 2025. This means RCB can bank on Salt’s continued presence as they look to cement their top-two finish in the points table.

On the flip side, Lungi Ngidi, who has been performing well, will likely miss the playoffs due to his WTC commitment. This further elevates the importance of having Hazlewood back in the bowling line-up.

Strategic Planning and Fixture Details

RCB’s remaining league matches include:

• May 17 vs KKR at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

• May 23 vs SRH at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

• May 27 vs LSG at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow

These games will be critical not only in determining RCB’s final position on the points table but also for ensuring optimal combinations as international players leave or arrive based on national commitments.

Impact on RCB’s Campaign

The addition of Livingstone, a hard-hitting batsman capable of turning matches single-handedly, and Shepherd, a capable lower-order hitter and pace bowler, strengthens RCB’s squad balance. Hazlewood's comeback could fill the potential void left by Ngidi and provide them with a well-rounded pace attack.

However, the key challenge for RCB will be managing squad rotations and matchups based on player availability. The uncertainty around West Indies players and the rigid NOC deadlines imposed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) mean that coach Andy Flower and captain Faf du Plessis will need to be tactically flexible.

Conclusion: Momentum on RCB’s Side

Despite the cloud of international commitments hovering over several players, RCB have done well to consolidate their resources heading into the most crucial part of the IPL 2025 season. The return of big names like Livingstone, Shepherd, and Hazlewood gives them a definitive edge.

With a mix of experience and youth, RCB seem poised to make a strong playoff push. If they can navigate the complex puzzle of player availability, the dream of lifting their maiden IPL trophy might just become a reality this year.

As the final leg of the tournament resumes, all eyes will be on RCB—not just to see how they perform, but to observe how well they manage the balancing act of strategy, rotation, and execution.

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