Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to receive a Josh Hazlewood boost just before the start of the upcoming IPL 2026. The defending champions will kick off their defense against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 28 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
However, before the new season, there has been so much uncertainty over the availability of the ace Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, and still, there is no official confirmation on the same. The experienced fast bowler is still recovering from hamstring and Achilles injuries.
His match fitness will depend completely on Cricket Australia’s medical clearance. Amidst this, it is being said that Josh Hazlewood is landing in India on Thursday, March 26, to join the RCB camp.
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Even though the Australian pacer is arriving before the start of the upcoming IPL 2026, he is almost certain to miss the opening phase of the world's biggest T20 league, as Cricket Australia is extremely careful about managing his fitness, keeping in mind the hectic Test schedule ahead.
It is being said that Hazlewood is likely to return only later in the 2026 season. With their strike bowler unavailable for the start of the season, RCB is likely to play Jacob Duffy in his place, as Yash Dayal will not also take part in the tournament due to his legal battle.
RCB’s bowling under pressure without Josh Hazlewood
So, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are entering IPL 2026 with one big hope, and that is that Josh Hazlewood would be available as soon as possible. His perfect line, strong bounce, and calm control make him very hard to face, no matter which format it is. Whenever he is available, RCB looks more confident and much more dangerous as a team in the tournament.
Hazlewood’s absence can hurt RCB badly because the gap between him and the backup options is huge. Duffy is still getting used to Indian pitches and conditions, so expecting the same impact from him will be stupid. Their spin department is also another concern for the defending champions.
Even though Krunal Pandya did a brilliant job in the middle overs last year, their spinners have one of the worst economy rates during the middle overs, which gives rival teams a very easy plan to attack RCB’s slow bowlers and break their momentum.
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In the Australian pacer’s absence, the young spinner Suyash Sharma will face a lot of pressure in the middle overs. The overall situation makes one thing clear: RCB’s bowling will be under heavy pressure in the upcoming IPL 2026, and like every season, their batters will have to do an extra job.
No opening ceremony for IPL 2026 as BCCI to honour Bengaluru Stampede victims
Meanwhile, the BCCI has decided not to hold the usual opening ceremony for IPL 2026 before the season opener, as a mark of respect for the 11 people who lost their lives in the stampede during RCB’s title celebrations in Bengaluru last year on June 4.
However, the BCCI is planning a big closing ceremony on May 31. Saikia was quoted as saying by Times of India: “However, the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council are planning a grand entertainment function at the closing of the IPL, on the day of the final (May 31).”
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