Australian pace ace Josh Hazlewood is set to return to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the decisive playoff stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, after his recovery from a shoulder niggle was successful. In a report by ESPNCricinfo, Josh Hazlewood is likely to feature in the IPL 2025 playoffs which will provide massive boost to RCB’s pace bowling.
Josh Hazlewood Working On His Recovery
Having missed RCB’s most recent game prior to the IPL’s short break, Hazlewood headed back to Australia to work on recovery. Ever since then, he has been rehabilitating and training in Brisbane as part of Australia’s preparation for the forthcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final. people close to the Australian setup indicate Hazlewood has picked up well with training and, while not yet officially confirmed, is likely to head back to India shortly to join the RCB team as reported by ESPMCricinfo,
A Standout Season So Far
Hazlewood has been in incredible form in IPL 2025, taking 18 wickets in 10 matches at a phenomenal average of 17.27. His reliable showings have been an important cog in the wheel of RCB’s success in this year’s season. With RCB already having qualified for the playoffs, their next two matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 23 and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 27 will decide how they finish in the league table and what path they might take in the knockout stages.
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Eyes On WTC Final
Hazlewood will be expected to make his appearance in Australia’s playing XI for the WTC final against South Africa in place of Scott Boland. He had fallen short in the 2023 final against India with Achilles and side issues but is set to return in a crucial position at The Oval.
Australia In WTC Final And IPL Overlap
Local-based Australian players will depart for the UK on May 29, with others who are still participating in the IPL traveling after their respective teams drop out of the competition. Both Josh Hazlewood and Josh Inglis (Punjab Kings) are the only two Australians who are likely to appear in the IPL playoffs. The IPL final has been planned for June 3, leaving only a couple of days for the participants to change gears and get ready for the WTC final.
Pat Cummins and Travis Head of Sunrisers Hyderabad will end their IPL by May 25. Mitchell Starc, who was with Delhi Capitals, excluded himself from coming back to the tournament after its resumption. Other members of the Test squad such as Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, and backup Brendan Doggett are playing county cricket in England.
