IPL 2025: Key player will return to RCB before playoffs, tension of opposing teams increased

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood may join Royal Challengers Bangalore before the IPL 2025 playoffs. Hazlewood is recovering from shoulder pain. The fast bowler played his last match in IPL 2025 on 27 April and then missed the next two matches. The 34-year-old fast bowler is training in Brisbane and his condition is improving.

Josh Hazlewood may join RCB before IPL playoffs
Josh Hazlewood is recovering from a shoulder injury and is training in Brisbane
Josh Hazlewood played his last match in IPL 2025 on 27 April

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is expected to join Royal Challengers Bangalore before the IPL 2025 playoffs. Hazlewood has recovered from a shoulder injury.
The Kangaroo pacer played his last IPL match in the current season on 27 April. After this, Hazlewood could not participate in two matches. Actually, he returned home for a week because there was tension between the Indian and Pakistani armies. Since then, the 34-year-old fast bowler started training in Brisbane. Apart from IPL, Hazlewood is also busy preparing for the World Test Championship final.

Cricket Australia's medical team is keeping an eye on Hazlewood's condition. RCB management has gathered information about Hazlewood from Cricket Australia's medical staff. RCB's Director of Cricket Mo Bobat said last week, 'Our medical team and Cricket Australia's medical teams are in touch and are monitoring his condition day by day.'

It is understood that Hazelwood has made good progress and he can join the team before the knockout stage, which will start on May 29. RCB, which has already confirmed its place in the playoffs, will aim to finish the league stage in the top-2 for the first time since 2016. RCB has to play two league matches. It will face Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 23 and then Lucknow Supergiants on May 27.

Let us remind you that Josh Hazelwood emerged as RCB's most important weapon in the current season. He became RCB's highest wicket-taker. The right-arm fast bowler took 19 wickets at an economy of 8.44.