RCB's new cult hero, Romario Shepherd, and Liam Livingstone have joined the RCB camp in Bengaluru ahead of the clash against LSG on May 17th.
Romario Shepherd arrived alongside Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell, with Bravo sharing a video of their arrival at the airport. The trio, including KKR Mentor Dwayne Bravo, made their way to Kolkata before Shepherd landed in Bengaluru.
Overseas Boost for RCB, But Availability a Concern
Shepherd's impressive performance against Chennai Super Kings, where he scored a remarkable 50 runs off just 14 balls, has earned him a dedicated fan base. His explosive innings, which included 4 fours and 6 sixes, helped RCB to secure a narrow victory over CSK by just 1 run in that match. However, due to his selection in the West Indies ODI squad to face Ireland starting on May 29th, Shepherd will only be available until May 26th, meaning he may head to Ireland right after the league stages conclude.
Liam Livingstone has also joined the camp and is expected to play a crucial role in the remaining matches. His explosive batting in the middle order and part-time spin bowling are likely to benefit RCB during Phase 2 of the tournament.
Also Read: Gujarat Titans Likely to Swap Jos Buttler for Kusal Mendis in Title Chase
Jacob Bethell joined the camp earlier than Livingstone but will be available for only two matches, as he is committed to the England ODI setup and will miss the playoffs if RCB qualifies.
Nuwan Thushara to Step-up
Currently, Josh Hazlewood and Lungi Ngidi will not be rejoining the squad. RCB is set to opt for the sling-arm bowler from Sri Lanka Nuwan Thushara to step in as he has joined the camp. An announcement regarding further replacements is expected ahead of the LSG clash.
Also read: IPL 2025: South Africa board makes IPL U-turn to prepare for WTC Final after June 03
