'Then the bowling will become incredible': Sanjay Bangar wants 2 big changes in RCB's playing XI for IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 vs PBKS

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have put their best foot forward in quest for their maiden IPL title as they thrashed Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets to secure top two finish in the standings and ensure their spot in the Qualifier 1 on May 27. They will look to keep everything in check before heading into the crucial clash where they will be facing table-toppers Punjab Kings on May 29.

Sanjay Bangar suggests two changes to RCB's Playing XI for Qualifier 1

Meanwhile, former RCB's head coach Sanjay Bangar has suggested a couple of crucial changes to Bengaluru playing combination for their upcoming IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 clash against Shreyas Iyer-led PBKS. He emphasized that the Bengaluru-based franchise needs to strengthen its bowling attack to counter PBKS's high-scoring batting lineup.

RCB secured their spot in Qualifier 1 by defeating LSG by six wickets in the final league game of IPL 2025 in Lucknow. After being tasked with chasing a daunting target of 228 runs, thanks to Rishabh Pant's century, RCB overhauled the mammoth total with eight balls and six wickets to spare.

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Meanwhile, during a discussion on Star Sports, Bangar specifically advised that RCB should retain Nuwan Thushara in their playing XI. Moreover, he recommended bringing back Josh Hazlewood and Tim David in place of Liam Livingstone and Romario Shepherd, respectively.

"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 have crossed 200 runs six or seven times this season," Bangar said.

The former India cricketer also highlighted that Liam Livingstone hasn't significantly contributed with the bat in IPL 2025. He suggested that the three-time runners-up would benefit more from strengthening their bowling department.

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

Josh Hazlewood and Tim David, who both missed RCB's IPL 2025 clash against LSG due to injuries, are expected to make their return to the playing XI in Qualifier 1.

Notably, RCB achieved a towering milestone with their recent triumph, securing an unprecedented unbeaten away record this season, winning all seven of their matches on the road. This makes them the first team in IPL history to go through a season with a perfect away record under the home-and-away format.

Thanks to this impressive run, RCB finished second on the points table, their highest position since 2016. They concluded the group stage with 19 points, matching Punjab Kings' total. However, RCB's net run rate of 0.30 placed them just behind the Shreyas Iyer-led side.