Hazlewood and Cummins to Miss Early IPL 2026 Fixtures: Big Blow for RCB and SRH
Two of the most dangerous fast bowlers in T20 cricket will not be available when IPL 2026 begins on March 28. Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are both confirmed to miss the opening fixtures for their respective franchises, RCB and SRH, as they continue rehab under Cricket Australia’s close watch. The season opener between these two sides just got a whole lot more interesting.
What We Know About Both Injuries Right Now
Both players are currently in the rehab phase and awaiting final medical clearance from Cricket Australia. A source close to RCB confirmed that clearance is still pending and neither player will travel to India until the green light comes in. Hazlewood is recovering in Sydney while Cummins continues his recovery from a lumbar back injury that has kept him out since mid-2025.
Injury Timeline at a Glance
| Player | Injury | Last Match | Matches to Miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Hazlewood | Hamstring + Achilles | NSW Sheffield Shield, Nov 2025 | At least first 2-3 games |
| Pat Cummins | Lumbar back stress | Ashes Test, Adelaide, Dec 2025 | Opening few matches |
Both also missed the T20 World Cup 2026 where Australia were knocked out in the group stage, losing to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
Josh Hazlewood: RCB’s Biggest Worry
Hazlewood was RCB’s most valuable bowler last season. He took 22 wickets from 12 matches at an average of 17.54, the highest for any bowler in the RCB camp. His ability to hit the top of off stump early and strangle batters at the death is something no other RCB bowler replicates.
His last competitive game was a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales in November 2025. Since then, a hamstring injury turned into an Achilles complaint during recovery, ruling him out of the entire Ashes series and eventually the T20 World Cup. He is currently expected to miss at least the first two to three games for RCB, meaning he will not return before April 11 at the earliest.
Who Covers for Hazlewood at RCB
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads the pace attack in his absence
- Jacob Duffy from New Zealand is the primary overseas pace option
- Nuwan Thushara from Sri Lanka offers extra firepower with the new ball
- Yash Dayal handles the death overs from the left-arm angle
For full RCB squad details and upcoming fixtures, check the RCB squad and fixtures page.
Pat Cummins: SRH’s Captain is Also Out
The bigger problem for SRH is that it is not just their best bowler missing, it is their captain. Cummins picked up a lumbar stress injury during Australia’s tour of the Caribbean in July 2025 and has been managing it since. He played only one Test during the Ashes, at Adelaide in December, and has not played white-ball cricket for several months.
With no confirmed return date, SRH need a stand-in captain for the opening games. Reports suggest Ishan Kishan is the frontrunner, having recently led Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and scored 317 runs in 9 innings at the T20 World Cup. Abhishek Sharma is also being considered given his domestic captaincy experience.
Who Covers for Cummins at SRH
- Ishan Kishan likely to lead in the early games
- Abhishek Sharma also in contention for captaincy
- Brydon Carse steps up as the frontline overseas pace option
- Ehsan Malinga provides back-up seam options in the powerplay
How Much Does This Actually Matter
Both players are expected to return and play a significant chunk of the season. Cricket Australia has been clear that they are not ruling them out entirely, just managing workload carefully given a packed 18-month international schedule that includes Test tours to South Africa, India, and England, plus the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The real question is whether RCB and SRH can afford slow starts. In a 10-team tournament where the top four qualify, losing early points without your best bowlers is a real risk. RCB were well-drilled under Andy Flower last season and have squad depth to cover, but Hazlewood’s wicket-taking ability at the top is genuinely irreplaceable in the short term.
SRH face the bigger challenge. Losing your captain before a ball is bowled creates uncertainty in team selection, match strategy, and the overall dressing room dynamic. Head coach Daniel Vettori will need to manage that carefully.
Keep an eye on how both teams hold up early by following the live IPL 2026 points table once the matches begin.
Season Opener: RCB vs SRH on March 28
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | RCB vs SRH |
| Date | March 28, 2026 |
| Venue | M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| RCB Missing | Josh Hazlewood |
| SRH Missing | Pat Cummins (captain) |
| RCB Stand-in Pace | Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy |
| SRH Stand-in Captain | Ishan Kishan (likely) |
This was supposed to be a mouth-watering battle between two of the best fast bowlers on the planet. Instead, it will be a test of squad depth and backup planning. Still a brilliant fixture, but very different from what fans were hoping to see. Catch every ball live through the IPL 2026 live streaming guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Josh Hazlewood missing early IPL 2026 matches?
Hazlewood is recovering from a hamstring injury followed by an Achilles complaint. He is awaiting clearance from Cricket Australia’s medical staff before travelling to India.
How many games will Hazlewood miss for RCB?
He is expected to miss at least the first two to three matches, meaning his earliest possible return is around April 11.
Why is Pat Cummins not available for SRH’s opening games?
Cummins has been managing a lumbar back stress injury since July 2025. He played only one Test during the Ashes and is still in rehab with no confirmed return date.
Who will captain SRH if Cummins is unavailable?
Ishan Kishan is the frontrunner to lead SRH in the opening games, with Abhishek Sharma also being considered.
Will Hazlewood and Cummins play in IPL 2026 at all?
Yes, both players are expected to return and feature in the latter stages of the tournament once they receive medical clearance.
Who replaces Hazlewood in RCB’s bowling attack?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar will lead the pace unit, supported by overseas pacers Jacob Duffy and Nuwan Thushara in the early matches.
