Josh Hazlewood IPL 2026 Availability in Doubt RCB Sweat Over Star Pacer’s Fitness

🚨 Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru face a major fitness scare as IPL 2026 opener on March 28 approaches fast — Josh Hazlewood is still under physio care and has not yet received medical clearance to play.

What Is the Current Situation With Hazlewood?

As of March 13 2026 Josh Hazlewood remains in Australia receiving intensive physiotherapy for his hamstring and Achilles tendon injuries. He has not played any cricket since November 2025 and there is no confirmed return date. According to a Hindustan Times source close to the situation it is purely a wait-and-watch scenario right now with his IPL 2026 participation depending entirely on whether his medical team gives him the green light in time.

How Did Hazlewood Get Injured?

The injury chain started during a domestic Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales in November 2025 when Hazlewood pulled his right hamstring. He was initially ruled out of just the first Ashes Test in Perth and expected to return later in the series. But during his rehab a fresh Achilles tendon injury was discovered which wiped out his entire Ashes campaign and then forced him out of the T20 World Cup 2026 as well where Australia suffered an early exit before the Super 8s. Since then he has not bowled competitively at all.

Why This Is Such a Big Deal for RCB

Hazlewood was not just a part of RCB’s title-winning squad in IPL 2025. He was the main reason they won it. The 35-year-old took 22 wickets in just 12 matches making him one of the standout bowlers of the entire tournament. His ability to bowl a hard nagging length in the powerplay and come back lethal in death overs was the tactical backbone of RCB’s bowling attack under captain Rajat Patidar.

• 22 wickets in 12 IPL 2025 matches
• Overall IPL record: 57 wickets in 39 matches at an average of 20.98
• Key in both powerplay and death overs
• Crucial wicket-taker in the IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings

Without him RCB’s bowling depth looks significantly thinner. Check the full RCB squad and player details to see who could fill the void.

Who Steps Up If Hazlewood Misses Out?

RCB do have backup pace options in their squad but none of them carry the same match-winning pedigree as Hazlewood at this level.

Nuwan Thushara brings wicket-taking ability but lacks Hazlewood’s consistency. Jacob Duffy is reliable but has never led an IPL pace attack as the primary spearhead. Bhuvneshwar Kumar at this stage of his career is more of a powerplay specialist than an all-phase dominator. RCB’s bowling could look very different without their Australian spearhead leading the charge.

Pat Cummins Facing Same Problem at SRH

Hazlewood is not the only big Australian pacer sweating over his fitness before IPL 2026 begins. SRH captain Pat Cummins is in an almost identical situation recovering from a back injury that kept him out of most of the Ashes and ruled him out of the T20 World Cup just 10 days before it started. Cummins played only one Ashes Test this season and is also under physio monitoring ahead of the tournament. Both teams are nervously watching their Australian match-winners race against the clock.

Keep track of how all teams shape up once the season kicks off through the IPL 2026 live points table updated after every match.

Is There Still Hope for Hazlewood?

Yes and sources are not writing him off entirely. The same Hindustan Times source confirmed there is still plenty of time before the tournament and that both Hazlewood and Cummins are expected to play some part in IPL 2026. RCB’s opening match on March 28 against SRH may come too soon but their second home match against Chennai Super Kings on April 5 has been identified as a more realistic comeback target if his recovery progresses well.

RCB will not rush him given the length of the tournament and the value he brings. A fit Hazlewood for even the back half of the tournament could completely change their title defence campaign.

Watch all RCB’s matches live this season through the IPL 2026 live streaming guide so you don’t miss a single ball.

FAQs

Is Josh Hazlewood playing in IPL 2026?

His participation is uncertain. Hazlewood is currently under physio care and his IPL 2026 availability for RCB depends on receiving medical clearance before the tournament begins.

What injury does Josh Hazlewood have?

Hazlewood is recovering from a right hamstring injury and a separate Achilles tendon injury both of which have kept him out of cricket since November 2025.

How many wickets did Hazlewood take in IPL 2025?

Josh Hazlewood took 22 wickets in 12 matches in IPL 2025 and was the key bowler in RCB’s maiden title-winning campaign.

When is RCB’s first match in IPL 2026?

RCB open their title defence against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 2026 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Who will replace Hazlewood if he misses IPL 2026?

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara and Jacob Duffy are the likely options to lead RCB’s pace attack if Hazlewood cannot get clearance in time.

Is Pat Cummins also injured ahead of IPL 2026?

Yes. SRH captain Pat Cummins is also under physio care for a back injury and his availability for IPL 2026 is similarly uncertain heading into the tournament opener.