Josh Hazlewood IPL 2026 Availability Update: Royal Challengers Bengaluru may be heading into the IPL 2026 season with an unexpected concern hanging over their plans. With a little over two weeks left before the tournament begins, the fitness of their key fast bowler, Josh Hazlewood, remains uncertain. The latest update suggests the Australian pacer is still under medical supervision and has not yet received the clearance needed to participate in the league.
At the moment, Hazlewood is continuing his rehabilitation under the supervision of Cricket Australia’s medical team. Whether he plays in the IPL this season will depend entirely on two things — medical clearance and the No Objection Certificate from Cricket Australia. For now, neither has been confirmed, which means RCB are still waiting for a final decision.
For the defending champions, the timing is far from ideal. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are preparing to begin their title defence later this month, but the uncertainty surrounding Hazlewood’s availability has suddenly raised questions about the strength of their bowling attack.
It has been a challenging year for the experienced Australian quick. Over the past 12 months, injuries have repeatedly disrupted his rhythm and kept him away from the game for extended periods.
The trouble started late last year when Hazlewood suffered a hamstring strain that ruled him out of the highly anticipated Ashes 2025–26 series. That setback kept him sidelined for a significant stretch and raised concerns about how quickly he could regain full match fitness.
There was some hope that he would return during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, but another problem emerged. Hazlewood developed a recurring Achilles issue, which delayed his recovery even further. As a result, he missed the tournament entirely and had to watch Australia’s campaign from the sidelines.
Those injury setbacks have now placed his IPL participation in doubt as well. Cricket Australia has long been known for carefully managing the workload of its fast bowlers, particularly those with recurring injuries. Given Hazlewood’s recent history, the board is expected to be cautious before allowing him to return to high-intensity competition.
For RCB, the concern is understandable because Hazlewood was one of the key figures in their historic IPL 2025 title-winning campaign. The tall right-arm pacer played a central role in shaping their bowling attack throughout the season.
He finished as the team’s leading wicket-taker, picking up 22 wickets in just 12 matches. His accuracy, ability to extract bounce, and composure in pressure situations made him one of the most reliable bowlers in the squad.
If Hazlewood ends up missing the start of the tournament — or worse, the entire season — it could significantly disrupt RCB’s bowling plans. Much of their strategy had been built around his experience with the new ball and his control during the death overs.
To make matters more complicated, there is also uncertainty surrounding another RCB pacer, Yash Dayal. His availability remains unclear due to ongoing legal issues in India. Should Dayal also miss out, the franchise could suddenly find itself short of experienced pace options.
In that situation, RCB may have to rely on their backup overseas fast bowlers. Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thushara and New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy are the most likely options to step in if Hazlewood is unable to join the squad in time.
Both bowlers have talent and potential, but replacing the impact of someone like Hazlewood is never easy. His calm presence, consistency, and ability to deliver under pressure were major factors behind RCB’s success last season.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are scheduled to begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. With the tournament fast approaching, the clock is ticking for a final decision on Hazlewood’s availability.
For now, it’s simply a waiting game. The latest updates suggest there is still some hope, but everything depends on the medical assessment from Cricket Australia in the coming days.
RCB supporters will certainly be hoping for positive news soon. Having their pace leader back would provide a significant boost as the team prepares to defend its IPL crown.
Cricket seasons often bring unexpected twists even before the first ball is bowled, and this appears to be one of those moments for Bengaluru. Still, if Hazlewood does receive the green light, his return could once again play a decisive role in shaping RCB’s IPL 2026 campaign.
