To fill Josh Hazlewood Salt-Bethell Void, return to RCB for IPL 2025 Playoffs

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have gotten a lucky break. Josh Hazlewood, their best bowler, will return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. It was speculated that Hazlewood won’t come back to India due to a combination of a shoulder injury and workload management for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025.

Cricket Australia (CA) wants all Australian players to be at their physical best before the May 11 showdown against South Africa at Lord’s. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that their players won’t feature in IPL 2025 after May 26 as they plan to travel to England on May 30.

Josh Hazlewood will be back for IPL 2025 Playoffs

But CA seems open to allowing Hazlewood to return to India. According to The Age, the fast bowler will complete his rehabilitation in Brisbane until next week and then fly to join RCB before the IPL 2025 Playoffs.

Some Australian players have refused to travel back to India after what transpired in Dharamshala. Jake Fraser-McGurk and Mitchell Starc have informed the Delhi Capitals that they won’t be returning. And CA will release a statement on May 16, confirming the availability of their players.

Hazlewood has been exceptional for RCB. He’s gotten wickets for Rajat Patidar every time he’s thrown him the ball. Since RCB is in a favourable position to make the IPL 2025 Playoffs, the pacer may not be required for the remaining 3 group stage matches.

However, since Jacob Bethell, Phil Salt, and Lungi Ngidi will return back home before the playoffs, having Hazlewood for the back end is what RCB needed. They will replace the three, but their best bowler will remain with them, and they’ll hope he’ll help them win their maiden IPL trophy.

RCB foreign players in IPL 2025

• Phil Salt, Tim David, Jacob Bethell, Romario Shepherd, Liam Livingstone, Josh Hazlewood, Lungi Ngidi, Nuwan Thushara