Will Josh Hazlewood Play IPL 2026 For RCB? Latest Injury Update

Will Josh Hazlewood Play IPL 2026? Josh Hazlewood is confirmed to miss the start of IPL 2026 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. According to Cricbuzz, the Australian fast bowler will sit out at least the first two matches of the season — the opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 and the clash against Chennai Super Kings — as he continues his recovery from persistent hamstring and Achilles injuries. The latest Josh Hazlewood injury update indicates he is still under Cricket Australia’s physio care in Sydney, with no medical clearance yet granted to travel to India.

Hazlewood was the spearhead of RCB’s maiden IPL title triumph in 2025, picking up 22 wickets in 12 matches. His absence in the early rounds leaves a significant gap in the defending champions’ pace attack, with Jacob Duffy and Bhuvneshwar Kumar expected to lead the bowling in his place in the RCB IPL 2026 squad.

Last updated: March 18, 2026

Will Josh Hazlewood Play IPL 2026 For RCB?

Will Josh Hazlewood play IPL 2026? The short answer is yes — but not from the start. Multiple reports now confirm that Hazlewood will miss at least the first two matches, with an earliest return date of around April 10-11 when RCB face Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati.

An RCB official told Hindustan Times: “Nothing much has changed from last week. The clearance is still awaited from the physios. The rehab is going on. Both Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins won’t be able to make it in time for the opening few matches.” The official added that Hazlewood is expected to play a “minimal role” in the latter part of the tournament.

A few outlets reported that Hazlewood may not link up with the RCB squad until after April 11 at the earliest, depending on how his rehabilitation progresses in Sydney. If his recovery extends beyond mid-April, RCB could consider bringing in an injury replacement, though for now the franchise is in “wait-and-watch” mode.

At this stage, Josh Hazlewood IPL 2026 availability is not in doubt for the full season — the concern is purely about how many early matches he will miss and how match-fit he will be upon return.

• Check full list of IPL 2026 injured players

How Did Josh Hazlewood Get Injured?

The Josh Hazlewood injury can be traced back to a hamstring strain suffered during a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales in November 2025. That initial setback ruled him out of the Ashes 2025-26 series entirely.

While attempting to recover, Hazlewood developed additional Achilles tendon and calf problems that complicated and extended his rehabilitation. Why was Josh Hazlewood not in T20 World Cup 2026?These recurring issues ultimately prevented him from recovering in time for Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, where Steve Smith was added to the squad as his replacement.

Without both Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, Australia’s pace attack was badly weakened at the T20 World Cup. The side suffered group-stage losses to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka and were knocked out before the Super 8 stage.

Since then, Hazlewood has been focused entirely on recovery under Cricket Australia’s medical supervision. His last competitive appearance was in November 2025 — a gap of over four months by the time IPL 2026 begins.

Josh Hazlewood Injury Timeline

Here is a quick look at how the Josh Hazlewood injury unfolded ahead of IPL 2026:

• November 12, 2025 — Hazlewood suffers a hamstring strain during a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales. Ruled out of the Ashes 2025-26.
• December 2025 — Attempts recovery but Achilles and calf issues emerge, complicating rehabilitation.
• January–February 2026 — Misses the entire Ashes series. Named in Australia’s probable T20 World Cup 2026 squad, but fitness remains a concern.
• February 2026 — Officially ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026 after failing to recover in time. Steve Smith added as his replacement.
• March 13, 2026 — Reports confirm Hazlewood still in Australia undergoing intensive physio. Medical clearance for IPL not yet granted.
• March 16-17, 2026 — Cricbuzz confirms Hazlewood will miss at least the first two RCB matches. RCB official confirms rehab ongoing, clearance still awaited. Earliest return estimated around April 10-11 vs Rajasthan Royals.

Josh Hazlewood Injury Update — What We Know

The latest Josh Hazlewood injury update as of March 18 paints a clearer picture than it did a week ago. He is no longer in “will he or won’t he play” territory — the question has shifted to when exactly he returns and how many games he misses.

Hazlewood will miss at least the first two matches — RCB vs SRH on March 28 and RCB vs CSK.

• The latest Josh Hazlewood injury update has created uncertainty around his IPL 2026 return, with many fans asking: is Hazlewood fit and ready to play, or will the fast bowler need more recovery time?
• Medical clearance is required before injured international players can return to franchise cricket. Until that clearance is granted, Hazlewood cannot travel to India or join the RCB IPL 2026 squad.
• The uncertainty surrounding his recovery has raised further questions about Josh Hazlewood IPL 2026 availability. Even if he receives clearance in the coming days, it remains unclear whether he will be fully match-fit for the start of the tournament.
• Given the nature of Hazlewood’s recent injuries — involving the hamstring, Achilles, and calf — team management is likely to take a cautious approach before allowing him to return to competitive cricket.
• Notably, SRH captain Pat Cummins is in an identical situation. Cummins, who has also been under Cricket Australia’s physio care after a back injury, is similarly racing against time to be fit for the IPL 2026 season opener. The situation means two of the IPL’s premier overseas pacers are doubtful entering the tournament.

What Does Josh Hazlewood’s Injury Mean for RCB in IPL 2026?

Josh Hazlewood’s absence hits RCB where it hurts most — their pace bowling. He was not just the leading wicket-taker in their 2025 title-winning campaign (22 wickets at 17.54, economy 8.77), but also the bowler who provided control in the powerplay and reliability at the death. His ability to maintain a hard length and extract movement made him the tactical anchor of RCB’s bowling attack.

Without Hazlewood for the opening phase, RCB’s IPL 2026 pace attack will lean heavily on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the veteran Indian seamer who brings swing and experience but is no longer the force he was at his peak. Jacob Duffy, the New Zealand quick retained in the squad, is the most likely direct replacement. Duffy offers a similar hard-length approach and is considered the natural like-for-like cover. Nuwan Thushara, the Sri Lankan slinger, provides wicket-taking ability with the new ball and proven death-overs skill.

The RCB IPL 2026 squad also includes Yash Dayal, though his availability carries its own complications. Other bowling options include Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar, Swapnil Singh, and Mangesh Yadav — though none carry the international pedigree of Hazlewood.

There is also the overseas slot consideration. With Hazlewood absent, RCB can field another overseas player in his place — which could mean an early run for Jacob Bethell, Tim David, or Phil Salt in the starting XI, alongside Virat Kohli’s continued presence. The tactical flexibility is a silver lining, but the bowling quality lost is hard to replicate.

RCB open their title defence against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28 — a fixture that will now see both teams missing their premier Australian pacers.

Is Hazlewood Fit? Latest We Know

Is Josh Hazlewood fit enough to feature for RCB in IPL 2026? As things stand, the latest reports confirm he is doubtful for IPL 2026, still awaiting medical clearance following multiple injury setbacks that kept him out of the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

While there is still a possibility that Josh Hazlewood will play IPL 2026 if he receives clearance soon, there is also a chance that he could miss part or all of the tournament depending on how his recovery progresses.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will continue monitoring the situation closely before making any decisions regarding their IPL 2026 squad and potential replacement options. There are more concerns for RCB in the pace department with Yash Dayal IPL 2026 availability also a concern. There is Romario Shepherd IPL 2026 availability which is a talking point with the war going on.

Until there is official confirmation from team management or Cricket Australia, the question ‘is Hazlewood fit for IPL 2026’ remains unanswered, and RCB will continue monitoring his recovery closely.

How Many IPL 2026 Matches Will Josh Hazlewood Miss?

Based on current reporting, here is the expected timeline:

• RCB vs SRH — March 28 (Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru) — Will miss
• RCB vs CSK — Early April (venue TBC) — Will miss
• RCB vs RR — April 10-11 (Guwahati) — Earliest possible return

If the recovery takes longer than expected, Hazlewood could miss three to four matches before joining the squad. RCB have not yet triggered an injury replacement and appear willing to manage with their existing squad depth for now.

FAQ – Will Josh Hazlewood Play IPL 2026? How Many Matches Will He Miss?

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