Why is Tim David not playing LSG vs RCB IPL 2025 match? Check RCB playing 11

The massive breaking news development is that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are playing without their premier overseas batter Tim David in the final league stage game of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) being hosted at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Both the fans and the team management will be very much delighted by the Royal Challengers Bangalore's performance in the ongoing edition of the T20 tournament having registered as many as 8 wins from their 13 matches so far. RCB have already qualified for the IPL 2025 playoffs and will be eyeing for a top-two finish to earn an early advantage in the knockouts stage. 

Why is Tim David not playing today's LSG vs RCB IPL 2025 match?

After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Royal Challengers Bengaluru stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma revealed that hard-hitting batter Tim David is not part of the RCB playing 11 for this crucial match against Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday. Incidentally, the Australian big-hitting cricketer pulled off his hamstring during the previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad and therefore, he was not available for selection in this Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL 2025 match. 

Tim David's absence is a huge setback for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru as he has played a crucial role for them while finishing matches lower down the order. Interestingly, the swashbuckling right-hander has smashed close to 200 runs at a remarkable strike-rate of 185.14 that includes a half-century as well in this T20 tournament. The RCB team management have brought back England all-rounder Liam Livingstone back in the RCB playing XI. 

"We will field first. Looks like a good wicket, we'll fancy to chase. Rajat Patidar is our impact player. Looking to win and make it into the top-2. Tim David misses out, Liam comes in, so does Thushara, he replaces Ngidi who left the team," stated Royal Challengers Bengaluru stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma. 

🪙 Back-2️⃣-back toss wins, and we choose to bowl first! 🤩

Team News: 📰 ⬇️

2️⃣ changes from the last game! 🙌

Liam 🔄 Tim David (injured)
Thushara 🔄 Ngidi (not available)#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2025 @qatarairways pic.twitter.com/rSuKkGNzBa

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 27, 2025

RCB Playing 11

Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w/c), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara, Suyash Sharma.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact Subs: Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh.

RCB IPL 2025 squad

Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Swapnil Singh, Liam Livingstone, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Blessing Muzarabani