EXPLAINED: Why Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt Are Not Playing For RCB In IPL 2025 Match Vs CSK

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are currently taking on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a blockbuster IPL 2025 encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB have been in superb form in IPL 2025 and will be looking to more or less seal their playoff berth with a win in this match. However, when the team announced their playing XI, fans were in for a bit of a shock. Two of their biggest players, Josh Hazlewood and Phil Salt, are not part of the team playing tonight’s game.

Why Josh Hazlewood Is Not Playing

Josh Hazlewood has been absolutely sensational for RCB in the IPL 2025. He is their highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets from 10 games, and is second in the leaderboard for the Purple Cap behind Prasidh Krishna. Fans were thus pretty surprised when he was excluded from the playing XI.

However, he has been rested as he is suffering from a niggle in his shoulder, as confirmed by Harsha Bhogle in commentary.

In his place, RCB have given a debut cap to South African pace bowling sensation Lungi Ngidi.

Why Phil Salt Is Not Playing

Phil Salt is another big name missing from the RCB team for the match vs CSK. This is the second match in a row that he is missing for the franchise. In the previous match against Delhi Capitals (DC), Salt could not play as he was out with an illness, as revealed by captain Rajat Patidar.

Even though nothing was confirmed for this match, it is likely that Salt has not yet recovered from his illness and hence missed out on playing vs CSK.

In place of Salt, RCB have continued with English youngster Jacob Bethell, who opened the innings alongside Virat Kohli.

RCB Playing XI vs CSK

Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (W), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, BHUVNESHAR KUMAR, Lungi NGIDI, Yash Dayal

Impact Substitues: Suyash Sharma, Liam Livingstone, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Swapnil Singh