IPL 2023: Great news for RCB as Josh Hazlewood seen bowling in nets ahead of RR clash

Josh Hazlewood was out of action for the last few months due to Achilles' injury.

In what is good news for Royal Challengers Banglore (RCB) fans, their Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was seen bowling in nets ahead of their IPL 2023 match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Sunday, April 23.

The 32-year-old is one of RCB's first-choice bowlers and was retained ahead of the 2023 edition after bagging 20 wickets in 12 matches last year. However, the right-arm seamer hasn't played a competitive game since January due to an Achilles injury.

He was also named in the Australia squad for the four-match Test series against India in February-March but returned home without playing a single match and didn’t come back for the three-match ODI series.

Without him, RCB tried out Reece Topley, but unfortunately, he injured his shoulder in the very first match for the franchise and flew back to England for further treatment. In his replacement, RCB called up Wayne Parnell of South Africa and has rotated him and David Willey in the bowling unit which is led by Mohammed Siraj.

Josh Hazlewood begins bowling in nets from full run up ahead of RCB vs RR game

However, the tall Australian pacer began bowling in the nets a few days ago and his return would boost RCB a lot as they have struggled with death bowling greatly this season. Their three losses - against the Lucknow Super Giants, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders - came on the back of poor death bowling.

However, hopes of the RCB franchise and team were uplifted as a video on social media showed Hazlewood bowling off his full run up ahead of the match against Rajasthan Royals which will be played on Sunday, April 23 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Check it out here:

Meanwhile, a report suggested that a decision on Josh Hazlewood’s return will be taken by the RCB management on the match day itself.