Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is set to brawl with Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 at New Chandigarh on May 29 after a thrilling contest with Lucknow Super Giants, where Rishabh Pant's confident century went in vain in front of RCB's team game.

RCB has been performing steadily from the beginning of IPL 2025; batting and bowling development looks solid, but former team India cricketer Sanjay Bangar advised them to make some changes in the playing XI before stepping into the field to face a strong team like Punjab Kings.

As per previous reports, Josh Hazelwood can play in the playoffs, which will strengthen RCB's bowling lineup. Bangar suggested multiple changes, including dropping out Liam Livingston to utilize Nuwan Thushara, who impressed against LSG with a 1/26 bowling figure.

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Punjab Kings has a deep-lying, in-form batting line-up, including Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis, and captain Shreyas Iyer himself. The former cricketer turned commentator preferred Thushara over Livingston for mainly two reasons: 1) Livingston so far underperformed in IPL 2025, getting only 87 runs in seven innings, including a first-ball duck against LSG, and 2) an extra bowling option against PBKS's batting attack. 

Bangar backed his thoughts with proper reasons

"Livingstone, who is playing as an overseas batter, is not scoring runs. So, make your bowling totally strong. I feel that the combination can be made," Bangar said on Star Sports.

 "Play Thushara in place of Livingstone. Then the bowling will become incredible. Then Phil Salt, Thushara, Josh Hazlewood, and Tim David for Romario Shepherd. The Punjab team is against them, and Punjab has crossed 200 runs six or seven times this season."

IPL 2025 playoff fixtures

Qualifier 1, May 29: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Mullanpur

Eliminator, May 30: Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians - Mullanpur

Qualifier 2, June 1: Qualifier 1 loser vs Eliminator winner - Ahmedabad

Final, June 3: Qualifier 1 winner vs Qualifier 2 winner - Ahmedabad