Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face a significant blow to their IPL 2025 campaign with the news that Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood is unlikely to be available for the remainder of the season. Hazlewood, who has been a key component of RCB’s bowling attack, is dealing with a shoulder injury that has already kept him out of recent matches. With the IPL nearing its crucial stages, RCB now faces the challenge of proceeding without one of their most experienced and reliable bowlers.
Hazlewood’s absence could not come at a worse time for RCB. The team, which is firmly in the race for a playoff spot, has been heavily reliant on Hazlewood’s ability to lead the bowling attack, especially in the death overs and the powerplay. His consistent performances with the ball, combined with his sharp, attacking mindset, have made him one of the most valuable assets for RCB since his debut in the IPL. His skillset, particularly in slowing down the game in the middle overs and applying pressure in crucial moments, has made a significant impact on the team’s fortunes.
The injury to Hazlewood adds to RCB’s growing list of concerns, as the team prepares for a series of must-win games. The Australian pacer had been an integral part of the team’s setup, and with his potential absence now confirmed, the team will have to rely on other pace bowlers in the squad to step up. The management is likely to experiment with different combinations, possibly turning to other seamers like Mohammed Siraj, who has been in excellent form this season, or exploring options within their bench strength.
Additionally, Hazlewood’s absence raises further challenges in terms of balancing the team’s resources. RCB’s attack, which has been bolstered by his expertise, will now have to function without one of its most experienced bowlers. This places added pressure on the likes of Siraj and the spinners, who will have to shoulder more responsibility to maintain the team’s competitive edge.
The timing of Hazlewood’s injury and the uncertainty surrounding his recovery also raises questions about his availability for Australia’s upcoming international commitments. With the ICC events on the horizon and Hazlewood being an important figure in the Australian national side, it is possible that his focus will shift toward regaining full fitness ahead of those fixtures.
For RCB, the path to the IPL 2025 playoffs just became more challenging. While the franchise has a potent batting lineup led by the likes of Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood’s absence leaves a noticeable gap in the bowling unit. The team will need to make quick adjustments and hope that other bowlers rise to the occasion.
In summary, while Josh Hazlewood’s injury and unavailability for the remainder of IPL 2025 is a major setback for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the franchise will have to adapt quickly to ensure they remain in contention for the coveted IPL title.