Will Josh Hazlewood Play Today’s RCB vs KKR IPL 2025 Match?

This evening, the 58th group-stage match of the current Indian Premier Leagues season will pit Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). If RCB wins tonight, they will advance to the next round of the playoffs, where they are almost guaranteed a spot under Rajat Patidar’s leadership.

Is Josh Hazlewood able to play in the match between RCB vs KKR?

Prior to the IPL’s suspension, RCB relied heavily on the seasoned Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who took 18 wickets in ten innings at an incredible strike rate of twelve. Before bowling strong periods against the Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals, he destroyed the Chennai Super Kings in the second match for the RCB.

However, Hazlewood missed the last RCB game prior to the tournament’s temporary suspension due to a shoulder ailment. The elite speedster has not yet joined the RCB team, according to the most recent rumours.

Will Josh Hazlewood Available for Playoff

According to a Friday story in the Sydney Morning Herald, Hazlewood has been recovering in Brisbane and is expected to return to RCB before the playoffs begin on the 29th of this month. Mo Bobat, the Director of Cricket for the RCB, then alluded to Hazlewood’s absence by stating that he had not gone back to India for the remaining games.

Hazlewood is therefore probably going to miss the forthcoming RCB vs. KKR match at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Who Will Take Josh Hazlewood’s Place in the RCB Starting XI?

South African pacer Lungi Ngidi was added to RCB’s playing XI in place of Hazlewood after he sustained the injury. However, the Royal Challengers may bring in Nuwan Thushara to lead the fast bowling unit alongside Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal if Ngidi is unable to play because of a national obligation.

In the meanwhile, Suyash Sharma and the in-form Krunal Pandya are anticipated to head RCB’s spin department.