IPL 2025: Why are Nuwan Thushara and Marco Jansen not playing in PBKS vs RCB in Qualifier 1?

Nuwan Thushara will not play in the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL) Qualifier 1 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), which is scheduled for Thursday, May 29, in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. The victor of this match will receive a direct ticket to the IPL 2025 Final.

PBKS secured first place on the points table after a comfortable victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) in their last league encounter. Meanwhile, RCB secured their position in Qualifier 1 with a victory over Lucknow Super Giants.

Toss Update

RCB skipper Rajat Patidar won the toss and opted to bowl first in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1. He felt the pitch looked hard and believed his team had shown full commitment in their previous outing. Meanwhile, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer expressed appreciation for the terrific crowd and noted that such energy from the stands is required when the team steps onto the field.

Hazlewood comes in for Thushara, Omarzai replaces Jansen

In a key change for RCB, Josh Hazlewood returned to the playing XI in place of Nuwan Thushara. The Australian pacer made his comeback after recovering from an injury. For PBKS, Azmatullah Omarzai was brought into the side while replacing Marco Jansen, who had to leave the tournament due to national commitments.

What did the captains say?

Rajat Patidar, RCB skipper

We will bowl first. Wicket looks very hard, decent covering of grass and will try to maximise 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.

Shreyas Iyer, PBKS skipper

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.

Playing XIs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma.

Impact Subs: Mayank Agarawal, Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh.

Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Kyle Jamieson.

Impact Subs: Vijaykumar Vyshak, Praveen Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Musheer Khan, Xavier Bartlet.