RCB Gets Boost with Shepherd and Livingstone's Return

Romario Shepherd has returned to India and rejoined the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad ahead of the resumption of IPL 2025 on May 17. His return bolsters RCB's lineup as they prepare for their upcoming match against Kolkata Knight Riders at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru .​ However, Shepherd's availability for the entire remainder of the tournament remains uncertain. He is part of the West Indies' ODI squad for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, with matches scheduled from May 21 to June 3 . These dates overlap with the IPL playoffs, which commence on May 29. Cricket West Indies has yet to clarify whether players like Shepherd will be permitted to stay with their IPL teams through the playoffs or will be required to join the national squad for international duties .​ RCB fans will be hopeful that Shepherd can contribute significantly during the remaining league matches, especially given his impactful performances earlier in the season. Nonetheless, the team's management will need to prepare for the possibility of his absence during the critical playoff stage, depending on directives from Cricket West Indies.​ ​England allrounder Liam Livingstone has rejoined the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad for the remainder of IPL 2025. Having been dropped from England's white-ball squads for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against the West Indies, Livingstone is now available for RCB throughout the tournament. ​ Jacob Bethell, another England player, has also rejoined RCB. However, his availability is limited. Bethell has been named in both England's ODI and T20I squads for the series against the West Indies, which begins on May 29. As a result, he will be available for RCB's next two fixtures—against Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad—before departing to join the national team. ​ The overlapping schedules of the IPL playoffs and international fixtures have led to several players, including Bethell, prioritizing national duties. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had initially granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to their players for the IPL based on its original schedule, which concluded on May 25. With the IPL final now rescheduled to June 3, the ECB expects its players to honor their commitments to the national team. ​ RCB will need to adjust their strategies accordingly, leveraging Livingstone's full availability while planning for Bethell's impending departure. The team will also monitor the availability of other key players, such as Romario Shepherd, whose participation in the IPL playoffs may be affected by international commitments with the West Indies.