Why is Marco Jansen not playing PBKS vs RCB IPL 2025 match? Check PBKS playing XI

In a massive breaking news development, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) are playing without their premier overseas fast bowler Marco Jansen in the Qualifier 1 encounter of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) being hosted at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. Punjab Kings have had a dream IPL season so far this year as they ended at the top position on the points table at the end of the league stage with a total of 9 victories from their 14 matches. If Punjab Kings manage to beat Royal Challengers Bangalore in this Qualifier 1, they will qualify for just their second IPL final. 

Why is Marco Jansen not playing today's PBKS vs RCB IPL 2025 match?

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer revealed that left-arm pacer Marco Jansen is not part of the PBKS playing XI for this crucial match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday. Unfortunately, the lanky speedster has already returned back to South Africa for national duty as he will be starting his preparation for the all-important ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final 2025 against Australia scheduled to begin from June 11 at the Lord's. Earlier Cricket South Africa (CSA) had announced that the Proteas players will not be available for the IPL 2025 playoffs. 

During the last league stage match against Mumbai Indians, Marco Jansen bowled amazingly well as he picked up two crucial wickets of Ryan Rickelton and Hardik Pandya. The South African left-arm pacer has taken as many as 16 wickets from 14 matches in IPL 2025 at an economy of 9.20. In the absence of Jansen, Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai makes a return into the PBKS Playing 11. 

"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," stated Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer during the toss.

𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞!💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/qpvREud6Uu

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) May 29, 2025

PBKS Playing XI

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

PBKS IPL 2025 squad

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yuzvendra Chahal, Suryansh Shedge, Musheer Khan, Xavier Bartlett, Praveen Dubey, Azmatullah Omarzai, Vishnu Vinod, Yash Thakur, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Pyla Avinash.