Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood returned to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad ahead of the final Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 group-stage game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on 27 May and the playoffs. The bowler spent some time in Australia recovering from a shoulder injury, but now has been given the green light to make his IPL 2025 comeback.
Like other overseas players, Hazlewood returned home following the suspension of the league as a result of increasing hostilities between India and Pakistan, but did not return after suffering a shoulder knock. He spent the following weeks training and rehabilitating in Brisbane, which has shown positive results, thus allowing his return to India.
The Aussie bowler has been a standout performer for RCB so far in their quest for the maiden IPL title. Despite missing a significant chunk of the season, he is the team’s leading wicket-taker with 18 wickets in 10 matches, at an average of 17.27.
He has been superb as a death-over bowler, including the two-wicket spell against Rajasthan Royals. In his absence, RCB has struggled somewhat, with replacement Lungisani Ngidi failing to make any mark and, since then, leaving for national duties.
With Blessing Muzarabani also slated to join after Zimbabwe’s one-off Test match against England, RCB will have a rejuvenated pace attack ahead of the crucial playoff matches. It remains to be seen whether Hazlewood makes his return in the final group-stage game against LSG, or if the team keeps him fresh for the playoffs.
A win against Lucknow will boost RCB’s chances of finishing in the top two places, which will be crucial in the playoff stages, especially as they lost to SunRisers Hyderabad in their previous outing.
Beyond IPL, Hazlewood’s return to full fitness will also be good news for the Australian team, who are set to face South Africa in the final World Test Championship (WTC) final on 11 June.
