IPL 2025: Josh Hazlewood set to rejoin Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of playoffs

Time of India

23-05-2025

The Australian's return will boost RCB's push for a top-two finish in the IPL (Image via NBT)
Australian fast bowler
Josh Hazlewood
is expected to return to Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the IPL playoffs after recovering from a shoulder injury. The 34-year-old, who last played on April 27 against Delhi Capitals, had briefly returned home during a brief suspension of the IPL owing to India-Pakistan military tensions and has since been training in Brisbane for the World Test Championship final.
Cricket Australia's medical team is currently monitoring Hazlewood's progress, with regular communication maintained with the RCB management. "Our medical team and their medical teams have been liaising on what that detail looks like, and he's just taking it day by day," said RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat.
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Hazlewood's recovery is progressing well, and he is likely to rejoin the squad before the knockout stage beginning May 29.
RCB has secured a playoff spot and aims to finish in the top two positions of the league stage for the first time since 2016.
After one of their games was washed out without a single ball being bowled, RCB has two remaining league matches - against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 23 and Lucknow Super Giants on May 27, both of whom have no hopes of making the playoffs.
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Hazlewood has been crucial to RCB's success this season, leading their bowling attack with 19 wickets at an economy rate of 8.44, averaging a little over 17 this season.
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Despite playing 3 games lesser than the top 3 in the race for the Purple cap, the Australian still remains on the tail of Prasidh Krishna, Noor Ahmed (both have 21 wickets) and Trent Boult, who has 19 to his name.
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The pacer has missed two games since his last appearance and has been preparing in Brisbane as part of Australia's World Test Championship preparations.
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His potential return could significantly boost RCB's bowling lineup for the crucial playoff matches, and in ensuring a top-two finish, following Gujarat Titans' slip-up against Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday.
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