The defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), are gearing up for their title defence in IPL 2026, but they will have to start their campaign without their primary pace spearhead. RCB head coach Andy Flower has confirmed that Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, despite joining the squad in Bengaluru, will not be available for the high-octane season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Saturday.
Hazlewood’s road to the 2026 season has been marred by a series of fitness setbacks. The 35-year-old hasn’t seen competitive international action since October 2025, having been sidelined by a persistent Achilles injury that forced him to miss the prestigious Ashes series and the T20 World Cup 2026. While Cricket Australia had initially indicated that the pacer might miss the first half of the tournament, his arrival at the RCB camp on March 26 has sparked a wave of cautious optimism among the fans.
RCB coach offers latest update on Josh Hazlewood following his joining of the IPL 2026 camp
Speaking at the pre-match press conference at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Flower expressed his delight at having the experienced campaigner back in the mix.
“Hazlewood arrived yesterday and he’s looking fit. It’s great to have him back around the dressing room and involved in our meetings again,” Flower remarked.
However, the coach was quick to temper expectations regarding an immediate return to the playing XI. Because Hazlewood is still transitioning from a rigorous rehabilitation program in Sydney, the team management is prioritizing long-term availability over a rushed start. Flower confirmed that the pacer is currently undergoing light drills and shuttles to assess his rhythm.
“He won’t be ready for tomorrow because he’s just arrived, but we’ll monitor his fitness closely,” Flower added. In the absence of Hazlewood and Yash Dayal, who is missing the season due to personal reasons, RCB will lean heavily on their new recruits. The franchise has shown immense faith in Indian seamers like Mangesh Yadav (bought for ₹5.2 crore), Abhinandan Singh, and a significantly improved Rasikh Dar to partner with the veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Hazlewood’s heroics in the IPL 2025 title run
The urgency surrounding Hazlewood’s return stems from his legendary performance in the previous edition. In IPL 2025, Hazlewood was the undisputed architect of RCB’s bowling dominance, leading them to their historic maiden IPL title.
He finished the 2025 season as the team’s leading wicket-taker, scalping 22 wickets in just 12 matches. His statistics were a testament to his elite T20 pedigree, maintaining a staggering average of 17.55 and an economy rate of 8.77 on the batting-friendly tracks of Bengaluru. His ability to provide breakthroughs in the Powerplay and execute pin-point yorkers at the death was the missing piece of the puzzle that finally brought the trophy to the Chinnaswamy.
As Rajat Patidar’s men step onto the field to defend their crown, the Australian pacer remains the X-factor they desperately need. For now, the focus remains on his gradual integration, ensuring that when he finally makes his entrance, he is ready to replicate the magic of 2025.
