Hazlewood return gives RCB huge boost ahead of playoffs with the Australian set to make comeback after shoulder niggle.
Hazlewood return comes as a welcome boost to RCB ahead of the playoffs.
After recovering from a shoulder ailment back in Australia, Josh Hazlewood is adamant about rejoining Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the IPL 2025 playoffs.
Hazlewood went home over the break and has been practicing in Brisbane as part of Australia’s preparations for the World Test Championship final. Hazlewood missed RCB’s final game before the IPL was postponed.
Although it hasn’t been confirmed, he is anticipated to return to India after recovering well from those sessions. Having taken 18 wickets at 17.27 from ten games, Hazlewood has had a tremendous tournament.
With two league games left, against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Friday and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 27, RCB is certain to advance. These games will decide their path in the playoffs.
After an injury-plagued home season in which he missed the second Test in Adelaide due to a side issue, Hazlewood made his comeback to action in the IPL after sustaining a calf strain in the third Test against India. He later missed the Champions Trophy and the Sri Lankan tour.
After almost missing the 2023 final against India due to Achilles and side ailments, he is anticipated to make a comeback to the team for the WTC final against South Africa, pushing Scott Boland out of the starting lineup.
As their competitions come to an end, the Australian players and personnel who have stayed behind will depart for the UK on May 29. Those attending the rescheduled IPL will also join. Of the players in the Test squad, only Hazlewood and Josh Inglis (Punjab Kings) will participate in the playoffs. If South Africa stays in the tournament till the end, they will have less than a week to prepare for the June 3 IPL final.
On May 25, Travis Head and captain Pat Cummins will wrap off their Sunrisers Hyderabad season. Mitchell Starc decided not to play for the Delhi Capitals again in the competition.
At the moment, county cricket is being played by Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, and travelling reserve Brendan Doggett.