Why is Lungi Ngidi Not in Royal Challengers Bengaluru Playing XI for LSG vs RCB IPL 2025 Encounter?

Protea pacer Lungi Ngidi has left the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camp ahead of their last fixture in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Alongside, English opener Jacob Bethell has also departed from India, a day before RCB faces Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The LSG vs RCB encounter is also notably the last league stage fixture of this season. While the Royal Challengers have qualified for the IPL 2025 playoffs, LSG will be playing tonight for pride at their home ground, Ekana Stadium.

Why is Lungi Ngidi not playing in LSG vs RCB match?

Ngidi is part of South Africa’s squad for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia. The highly anticipated clash will unfold at the home of cricket starting June 11.

Since RCB have already qualified and their Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood has returned, the 29-year-old is on his way back.

Ngidi played only two matches this season. Playing in his RCB debut against his former team, Chennai Super Kings, Ngidi was a match-winner. His spell of 4-0-3-30 helped RCB win from the jaws of defeat at their home den, M Chinnaswamy Stadium. During his next match. Ngidi only had one wicket while being hammered by SRH batters for 51 runs.

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Nuwan Thushara makes RCB debut

With both Ngidi and Hazlewood unavailable, RCB had to turn to Nuwan Thushara as their overseas pacer. The Sri Lankan fast bowler bowled an exceptional spell with the new ball, showing glimpses of his legendary countryman Lasith Malinga.

Thushara cleaned up Matthew Breetzke with an outswinging yorker in his second over. He returned in death overs, conceding just seven runs against a set Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran.

He returned with excellent figures of one for 26 in four overs. Despite his performance, RCB could not stop LSG from posting 227 in their 20 overs. The LSG skipper Rishabh Pant, who had a disappointing IPL 2025 season, proved to be a thorn in RCB’s path to the top two. Pant registered his third century in the IPL, and the first one for the Super Giants.

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