Is Josh Hazlewood ready to make an impact for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2026? The answer is still up in the air as he continues to recover from injuries.

Hazlewood has linked up with the RCB squad ahead of the tournament, but he was notably absent from practice on March 26 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This raises questions about his readiness for the season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28.

After missing the entire Ashes series and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup due to hamstring and Achilles tendon injuries, Hazlewood’s return to competitive cricket has been delayed. Last season, he was a key player for RCB, taking 22 wickets in 12 games during their maiden IPL triumph.

Mo Bobat, RCB’s Director of Cricket, acknowledged Hazlewood’s struggles, stating, “So, as most people would know, Josh has missed quite a bit of cricket recently with injuries.” He emphasized that they are working closely with both Hazlewood and Cricket Australia to monitor his progress.

Bobat added, “As soon as he gets to a point where Cricket Australia are happy, he’ll come over.” However, details remain unconfirmed regarding Hazlewood’s fitness and availability for the IPL 2026 season opener.

Several overseas players, including Hazlewood, are expected to miss the start of the tournament due to injuries. While he continues his rehab process back home, the timeline for his return to play remains unclear.

As RCB prepares for the upcoming season, fans are left wondering if Hazlewood will be able to contribute as he did last year. His presence could be crucial in their quest for another title.

For now, the cricketing world will be watching closely as RCB navigates the early challenges of IPL 2026 without some of their star players.

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