Follow UsRoyal Challengers Bengaluru have been bolstered by the return of pacer Josh Hazlewood to their camp. The Aussie had decided to go back home when the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was suspended due to the escalating cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.
The tall pacer, who also happens to be RCB’s highest wicket-taker with 18 scalps in 10 games, last played in the IPL on April 27. In Australia, he was also training in Brisbane for Australia’s upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final. He removed all the injury clouds that surrounded him in that period and is ready to go for RCB now.
RCB, meanwhile, have already reached the playoffs and are gunning hard to end up in the top two so they get two opportunities to put themselves in the final of IPL 2025.
They have one game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) remaining on May 27, and they need a win there to ensure a top-two qualification. Hazlewood’s comeback in the tournament is quite crucial from that perspective. Hazlewood is fourth on the list of the highest wicket-takers this tournament and is picking up his wickets at an average of 17.27 and economy of just 8.44.
RCB also signed Blessing Muzarabani as Lungi Ngidi’s replacement.