RCB Incurs Heavy Setback as Star Pacer Josh Hazlewood Suffers Injury Pre-IPL 2025 Restart

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have incurred a heavy setback before the possible restart of IPL 2025. Their star Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood is not likely to play for the rest of the season. This is while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is deliberating a restart of the tournament after a brief pause due to tensions along the borders. Hazlewood, who was suffering from a pre-existing shoulder issue, was sidelined for RCB's match against Chennai Super Kings on May 3 and also questionable for their next match before the tournament was put on ice on May 9.

Hazlewood had been working hard to get back to full fitness following a bout of injuries early in the year, such as a calf strain and side issue. He was looking forward to the IPL as a perfect opportunity for him to find his rhythm and form again, but with the looming World Test Championship (WTC) final now, his comeback to the IPL is becoming increasingly doubtful. Cricket Australia will prioritize Hazlewood's rehabilitation and will likely adopt a cautious approach, ensuring his fitness ahead of the WTC final on June 11 at Lord's. Therefore, Hazlewood's participation in the IPL seems unnecessary at this time.

But Hazlewood is not the only Australian player whose participation in the IPL 2025 is in doubt. Some of the other senior cricketers like Pat Cummins and Travis Head, whose team Sunrisers Hyderabad has already lost playoff qualification, may also decide to stay back in Australia and focus on preparing for the WTC final. Mitchell Starc, a Delhi Capitals player, also has a tough decision between honoring his IPL commitments and focusing on national duties ahead of the WTC.

The uncertainty regarding Hazlewood's injury and that of other overseas players makes things even more difficult in the backdrop of the issues of recalling overseas players and officials. Several foreign cricketers had already left India following the suspension, some of them such as the New Zealanders having already returned to their country. Cricket South Africa is still in discussion about whether their players can remain after the deadline of May 25, and they are prioritizing the safety of their players. The CSA board will make a decision soon.

For RCB, the unexpected break has given them some time to get over and resolve their problems. One of the players who could do with the break is captain Rajat Patidar. Patidar had injured his finger while fielding against CSK and was set to miss a couple of games. But the unexpected IPL break has now allowed him to recover completely. RCB is taking it slow on his rehab, hoping he comes good in time for the playoffs and even the India A tour of England ahead.

With Hazlewood likely to miss the remainder of the season, RCB's administration will need to reschedule their bowling plan. To lose a player like Hazlewood is a huge setback for any team, particularly when they already have a small pool of players to choose from. The uncertainty over the return of IPL 2025 has made things even more difficult, and the team will need to come up with a new plan to enhance their team in order to remain in the fray for the tournament.