Exploring the Absence of Jitesh Sharma as RCB’s Captain in Qualifier 1

Rajat Patidar, captaining Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), won the toss and opted to field first against Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 held at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. RCB made a strategic change to their lineup, including Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood in place of Nuwan Thushara. Both teams displayed confidence ahead of the match, with Patidar praising his players’ performances in the previous game, while Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer also expressed optimism about his squad’s chances.

## Match Overview

In a crucial showdown of IPL 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced Punjab Kings in the first qualifier. RCB’s decision to field first was based on the wicket’s condition, which appeared hard with a decent grass covering. Patidar highlighted the energy from the crowd, noting that his team had given their all in the last match. The inclusion of Hazlewood was a key change, as RCB aimed to capitalize on the early overs. Meanwhile, Iyer acknowledged the historical performance of teams batting first at this venue, indicating his preference to bowl first as well.

## Captaincy Changes

Rajat Patidar’s return to captaincy was a significant development for RCB. He had previously missed a match due to a finger injury but came back ready to lead his team. During his absence, Jitesh Sharma stepped up as captain, guiding RCB to a dramatic six-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants. Sharma’s impressive innings of 85 not out, alongside Virat Kohli’s contribution of 54, secured RCB a playoff position. This win was crucial, elevating RCB to second place in the standings and setting the stage for their clash with table-toppers Punjab Kings.

## Team Updates

Both teams made notable changes to their playing XI ahead of the match. Punjab Kings replaced Marco Jansen with Azmatullah Omarzai. Iyer commented on the strong support from fans, which he believed added energy to the team. The Kings’ batting lineup included key players like Shreyas Iyer and Shashank Singh, who have been pivotal in their campaign. On the other hand, RCB’s lineup featured star players such as Kohli and Sharma, who were expected to play vital roles in the match. The anticipation was high as both teams looked to secure a place in the IPL 2025 finals.

## Playing XIs and Impact Substitutes

The final playing XIs showcased the strengths of both teams. Punjab Kings included Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and Kyle Jamieson, while RCB’s lineup featured Virat Kohli, Liam Livingstone, and Josh Hazlewood. Each team also designated impact substitutes to provide tactical flexibility during the match. For Punjab, the substitutes included Vijaykumar Vyshak and Praveen Dubey, while RCB’s options included Mayank Agarwal and Tim Seifert. The strategic adjustments and depth in both squads added an extra layer of intrigue to the first qualifier, setting the stage for an exciting clash.

Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.

Follow Us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, & LinkedIn