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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is set to receive a major boost as Jos Hazlewood is set to return to their fold ahead of the IPL 2025 playoffs. RCB, having already qualified for IPL 2025 playoffs, would want their pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood in the all-important Qualifier 1 clash against Punjab Kings on May 29. RCB secured the top two finish after thrashing Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by six wickets.
Josh Hazlewood to feature in RCB's playing XI in Qualifier 1 clash against PBKS
Josh Hazlewood's return to RCB was highly anticipated in the clash against LSG, but captain Jitesh Sharma confirmed that the Australian pacer would not be playing in the recent game. However, Jitesh did state that Hazlewood is expected to be back in the Playing XI for RCB's next match.
The RCB star had returned to Australia during the IPL's brief suspension earlier this month. He was nursing a shoulder injury and only arrived back in India recently. So far this season, Hazlewood had to miss three games and his last appearance was on April 27 in Delhi.
However, after leading RCB to a stunning win over LSG, Jitesh made it clear that his side will be bolstered by their superstar pacer Hazlewood in the IPL 2025 playoffs.
Hazlewood will perhaps play in the knockout.
Pacer Josh Hazlewood and batter Tim David were both unavailable for RCB's final league-stage match. But Jitesh, during the toss, also confirmed that even Tim David is expected to be back for IPL 2025 playoffs.
"I think in the next match, everyone's going to get a surprise as Josh Hazlewood and Tim David will be seen in action soon," Jitesh Sharma said at the toss.
Talking about the match, Rishabh Pant's incredible centurion knock of 118 helped LSG post a colossal total of 227/3. However, Pant's first century in seven years ultimately went in vain as RCB went on to thrash LSG by 6 wickets.
Chasing a big target, Jitesh Sharma played a match winning unbeaten blistering fifty to that powered RCB to a six-wicket win, which ensured their top two finish in the standings. Jitesh was particularly destructive, smashing an unbeaten 85 runs from just 33 balls, an innings embellished with 8 fours and 6 sixes. Virat Kohli also contributed significantly, scoring a half-century that laid a crucial foundation for RCB's chase. Earlier in the game, Rishabh Pant's unbeaten century had been instrumental in LSG posting a daunting total of 227/3 but in the end it all went in vain.
"I will not be able to express my thoughts! I can't believe I played that knock. When Virat bhai was out, I was just thinking of taking it deep. As my mentor and guru Dinesh [Karthik] anna says, just take it deep. I was getting cramps because all the load was on me! I have Virat bhai, Krunal bhai and Bhuvi bhai with me. I feel excited that I'm playing with them. We want to enjoy the moment. But we'll try to recover well. We'll look to carry the momentum into the next match. Credit goes to Rajat. I had the responsibility of maintaining his record. We have a strong belief system. We have match winners. Look at our playing XI, and we have match winners," Jitesh said at the post-match presentation.
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