Just days before the start of the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League, two major injury updates have shaken the build-up to the tournament. Australian fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are both expected to miss the opening phase of IPL 2026, leaving Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad scrambling to adjust their plans.
The news comes as a significant setback, especially considering how crucial both players were for their teams last season.
Josh Hazlewood: RCB Lose Their Most Reliable Death Bowler
For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the absence of Hazlewood creates a serious gap in their bowling attack. The defending champions are likely to begin their title defence without their pace leader, who is still recovering from hamstring and Achilles tendon issues that have sidelined him since the 2025-26 Ashes series.
Hazlewood was central to RCB’s historic first IPL title last season. His calm presence in pressure moments made him one of the most dependable death bowlers in the tournament.
Josh Hazlewood IPL 2025 Performance
- Matches: 12
- Wickets: 22
- Economy Rate: 8.28
One of the standout moments of his campaign came in the final against Punjab Kings, where he successfully defended 29 runs in the last over — a spell that perfectly summed up his ability to deliver under pressure.
Josh Hazlewood Backup Options for RCB
RCB do have a few overseas options who could step in.
Jacob Duffy appears to be the most straightforward replacement. The New Zealand pacer was signed specifically as Hazlewood’s backup and brings solid swing bowling along with decent control in the death overs.
Another option is Nuwan Thushara, whose slingy action and pinpoint yorkers could offer a different challenge for batters. While he isn’t a like-for-like replacement, his unique style could still prove effective on Indian pitches.
Pat Cummins: SRH Lose Their Captain and Key Bowler
The situation is equally complicated for Sunrisers Hyderabad, who may start the season without their captain Pat Cummins. The Australian all-rounder has been dealing with a lumbar stress injury in his back since July 2025, the same issue that ruled him out of the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Beyond his bowling, Cummins’ leadership has been a stabilizing force for SRH, making his potential absence even more impactful.
Pat Cummins IPL 2025 Performance
- Matches: 14
- Wickets: 16
- Runs: 97
- Strike Rate: 167.24
Even in a mixed season for SRH, Cummins remained one of their most dependable players.
SRH’s Backup Plans and Captaincy Options
If Cummins is unavailable, Ishan Kishan is reportedly the leading candidate to take over the captaincy duties.
On the bowling front, SRH could turn to Brydon Carse and Shivam Mavi to share the pace workload. The franchise will also look to experienced Indian pacer Mohammad Shami, who was one of their key signings in the 2026 auction, to bring stability and leadership to the attack.
What This Means for Both Teams
Losing Hazlewood and Cummins disrupts the balance of both squads, particularly their overseas combinations.
For RCB, Hazlewood’s absence removes the control they relied on during tight situations. While the batting lineup still boasts firepower with players like Phil Salt and Tim David, the bowling unit loses its most dependable finisher.
For SRH, the impact runs deeper. Without Cummins, they not only lose a strike bowler but also a captain who was willing to take responsibility in the toughest overs. That could place additional pressure on both their bowling attack and middle-order batting.
Interestingly, RCB and SRH are scheduled to face each other in the IPL 2026 season opener on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. With both teams potentially missing their Australian pace leaders, the contest suddenly becomes far more unpredictable.
Over the next few days, both franchises will be working hard behind the scenes to finalize new combinations and tactical plans before the tournament gets underway.
