IPL 2025: Josh Hazlewood aims to return to RCB XI for playoffs - Reports

Josh Hazlewood is dealing with a shoulder injury.

Josh Hazlewood is planning to make his comeback to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) playing XI in the upcoming playoffs matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Notably, unlike his fellow Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood opted to return to India after the brief suspension of play.

Hazlewood went home over the break and has been practicing in Brisbane as part of Australia’s preparations for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final. Hazlewood missed RCB’s final game before IPL 2025 was postponed.

Hazlewood is coming off rehab sessions on his shoulder injury in Australia. He has since been training in Brisbane as part of Australia’s preparations ahead of the ICC WTC 2023-25 final.

Josh Hazlewood to return to RCB XI for IPL 2025 playoffs

Although it hasn’t been confirmed, according to a ESPNcricinfo report, he has recovered well from those sessions and is anticipated to return to India. Having taken 18 wickets at 17.27 from ten games, Hazlewood has had a tremendous tournament.

With two league games left, against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Friday and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 27, RCB are certain to advance. These games will decide their path in the playoffs.

After an injury-plagued home season in which he missed the second test in Adelaide against India due to a side issue, Hazlewood made his comeback to action in the IPL after sustaining a calf strain in the third test against India. He later missed the ICC Champions Trophy and the Sri Lankan tour.

After almost missing the 2021-23 ICC WTC final against India due to Achilles and side ailments, he is anticipated to make a comeback to the team for the ICC WTC 2023-25 final against South Africa, pushing Scott Boland out of the starting lineup.

Australia stars involved in IPL to arrive in UK for WTC final a week before the match begins

As the delayed IPL draws to a close, players and personnel from Australia who have stayed behind will depart for the UK on May 29. Of the players in the test squad, only Hazlewood and Josh Inglis (Punjab Kings) will participate in the playoffs.

The IPL final will take place on June 3, leaving just under a week to prepare for the ICC WTC 2023-25 final against South Africa, should either remain at the tournament until the end.

On May 25, Travis Head and captain Pat Cummins will wrap off their Sunrisers Hyderabad season. Mitchell Starc decided not to play for the Delhi Capitals again in the competition. Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, and travelling reserve Brendan Doggett are currently playing county cricket.

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