RCB play PBKS in qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025, at Mullanpur on Thursday, and this will be the first time since 2016, that the Bengaluru team has reached this far in the tournament. And a lot of credit needs to go to the bowling department. More so, to Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, who picked up 18 wickets in only 10 encounters.
Josh Hazlewood Out of Action Since April
In time of need, not only he picked wickets, but also contained the runs, and has an economy of 8.44 in the 2025 season. That said, there is a lot of confusion, and conjecture around Hazlewood’s fitness. The Aussie had gone back home during the military escalation between India and Pakistan, and only returned a few days back.
Aussie Pacer Now Fit
Another issue is, he wasn’t match-fit, and was recuperating from an injury. But in their last match vs LSG, Jitesh Sharma made it clear that the pacer is now fit, and would play in the playoffs. “Josh Hazlewood is fit now. He will probably play in the knockouts,” Jitesh had said.
Eventually, the decision will remain with the RCB management, if they really need Josh Hazlewood’s services in the Qualifier 1 against PBKS or not. The team has decent bowling back ups in their line up — and can play either Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thusara, or even Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani, who were drafted in the team later.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Tim Seifert, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Swapnil Singh, Blessing Muzarabani, Tim David, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh.
