Royal Challengers Bengaluru have received a huge boost before the Indian Premier League playoffs as Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has rejoined the team two days prior to their last league match in Lucknow on May 27, 2025.
Recovery from Shoulder Niggle by Josh Hazlewood
Hazlewood came back home during the week-long break following the suspension of the IPL amid India-Pakistan military tensions and was also nursing a shoulder niggle from which the right-arm pacer has recovered.
Josh Hazlewood Speaks After Return
“It’s obviously great to be back. A couple of weeks at home, [I] made the most of the last [as I] went up to Brisbane and bowled quite a few overs,” Hazlewood said in a video posted by RCB on Sunday (May 25).
“Everything has been good. Hopefully to get the ball rolling again and, yeah, look forward to tomorrow and start the practice,” he added.
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Preparing for WTC Final While Eyeing IPL Success
The 34-year-old was practicing in Brisbane as part of Australia’s buildup for the World Test Championship final against South Africa next month and was under watch by Cricket Australia’s medical staff.
RCB camp was closely tracking Hazlewood’s development, having been RCB’s leading bowler this IPL with 18 wickets from 10 games and being currently fourth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
Final League Match Against LSG Crucial for Top-Two Finish
Already in the play-off qualifying bracket, RCB play Lucknow Super Giants in their final IPL league encounter here on Tuesday.
RCB will rely on other teams for their top-two qualification after going down to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 42 runs in their last game.
Actually, a close win for PBKS against Mumbai Indians on Monday will maintain RCB in the top spot but in case of defeat against LSG, the Rajat Patidar team will have to undergo the Eliminator once again.
