RCB’s Josh Hazlewood Doubtful for IPL 2025 2nd Leg

While the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continue their charge for their inaugural IPL title, the side could face a major blow as Josh Hazlewood is unlikely to be available for RCB after the IPL 2025’s likely resumption from May 16.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season was suspended on Friday, May 9, due to the tensions between neighbouring countries India and Pakistan.

But soon after the ceasefire was announced, the IPL 2025 is also set to get back on track for the remaining few matches, including the playoffs.

The IPL 2025 season is reportedly set to resume from May 16, Friday, a week after the suspension was announced. The franchises are already working on getting the players back in the camp.

However, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) could face a big blow as star pace bowler and the team’s leading wicket-taker, Josh Hazlewood, is unlikely to join the side for the remaining games.

Hazlewood suffered a shoulder niggle during the IPL 2025 which saw him miss the team’s last match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and was set to miss the LSG game as well before the league was suspended. Soon after, the Australian pacer has returned home.

With Australia set to play in the upcoming World Test Championship 2023-2025 final match vs South Africa, Australia has scheduled a camp in England which commences from 1st week of June.

Josh Hazlewood is one of the integral members of the Australian side, forming a core bowling unit with the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, etc. With the pacer nursing the injury, it is unlikely that Cricket Australia (CA) would want to risk Hazlewood’s fitness prior to the important final match.

Pat Cummins and Travis Head could also miss IPL 2025 2nd Leg

Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood is not the only Australian cricketer who will miss the IPL 2025 2nd leg. Australian captain Pat Cummins and batter Travis Head are also likely to miss the IPL 2025 after resumption, especially that the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) is already out of the playoffs race.

Cricket Australia would not want to risk their fitness for 2 games of IPL while the players themselves are likely to prefer to join the Australian camp over the IPL.