Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood has rejoined Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad forward of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 playoffs, offering a major enhance to the franchise as they chase their maiden title. Hazlewood, RCB’s main wicket-taker this season with 18 wickets from simply 10 matches, arrived in Lucknow within the early hours of Sunday, Could 25, after a two-week absence on account of a shoulder damage and the mid-season suspension of the match.
Josh Hazlewood’s return – An enormous enhance for RCB
Hazlewood’s return comes at a pivotal second for RCB, who’re set to face the Lucknow Tremendous Giants of their closing league match on Could 27 on the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. The group, led by Rajat Patidar, has already secured a playoff berth however is pushing for a top-two end, which might give them a vital second likelihood within the knockout stage. Hazlewood’s presence is anticipated to bolster RCB’s bowling assault, which struggled in his absence, most notably conceding over 230 runs of their current defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The Australian quick bowler had final performed for RCB on April 27 towards Delhi Capitals (DC) earlier than returning residence when the IPL was briefly suspended on account of cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. Throughout his time away, Hazlewood underwent rehabilitation in Brisbane, the place he additionally skilled as a part of Australia’s preparations for the upcoming World Check Championship (WTC) closing towards South Africa, scheduled to start on June 11 at Lord’s.
RCB expresses pleasure on Hazlewood’s return
RCB’s official social media accounts confirmed Hazlewood’s return, sharing photos and movies of his arrival in Lucknow with captions comparable to “He’s right here. Welcome again, Josh Reginald Hazlewood!” and “Josh Hazlewood is again! How excited are we, twelfth Man Military?”
He is right here
ಬಂದ್ಬಿಟ್ಟ
వచ్చేసాడు
வந்துட்டான்
वो आगया
വന്നിരിക്കുന്നുWelcome again, Josh Reginald Hazlewood! 🫡❤🔥 pic.twitter.com/pttA5DX3N8
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) Could 25, 2025
Josh Hazlewood is again! 🔥🫡
How excited are we, twelfth Man Military? That is Royal Problem presents RCB Shorts.#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/JwDneqD8Lz
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) Could 25, 2025
Additionally READ: IPL 2025 – Right here’s how RCB can end in high two even after an enormous defeat towards SRH
In a video message, Hazlewood expressed his pleasure: “It’s clearly nice to be again. A few weeks at residence, made essentially the most of it, went as much as Brisbane and bowled fairly just a few overs. The whole lot has been good. Hopefully to get the ball rolling once more and, yeah, stay up for tomorrow and begin the follow.”
“Good to be again! Hope to get the ball rolling once more and begin follow tomorrow”: Josh Hazlewood 🤩
That is @bigbasket_com presents RCB Daring Diaries. 🎥#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/8Fbpw3TUHK
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) Could 25, 2025
Hazlewood’s affect on RCB’s marketing campaign has been substantial. He has taken 18 wickets at a mean of 17.27 and a strike charge of 12.27, making him the best among the many high 10 wicket-takers this season. His potential to take wickets each with the brand new ball and on the loss of life has been instrumental in RCB’s success, and his return is seen as a significant enhance to the group’s title aspirations.
Additionally READ: IPL 2025 – Anushka Sharma’s shocked response completely sums up Virat Kohli’s dismissal throughout the RCB vs SRH conflict
