Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have received a major lift ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs with the return of ace Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood. The franchise confirmed his comeback via a video shared on their official ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) handle, much to the delight of fans.
Hazlewood had been sidelined with a shoulder injury and has not featured in a match since April 27. Despite his limited appearances, he has been a standout performer for RCB this season, claiming 18 wickets in just 10 matches at an impressive average of 17.27 and an economy rate of 8.44. His tally places him as the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament so far.
The fast bowler temporarily returned to Australia for rehabilitation after the IPL was paused due to rising geopolitical tensions along the India-Pakistan border. During his time at home, Hazlewood also joined Australia’s training camp in Brisbane in preparation for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) Final against South Africa.
With RCB already securing a spot in the playoffs, Hazlewood’s return comes at a crucial juncture. The team recently suffered a setback with a high-scoring defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad, a loss that could hinder their chances of finishing in the top two. The inclusion of a fit and in-form Hazlewood could be the difference-maker as RCB looks to regain momentum in the race for the IPL title.
