Suspense ends over RCB's Josh Hazlewood's availability for last leg of IPL 2025, Team Director Mo Bobat

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL 2025 campaign have taken a massive hit as Josh Hazlewood is still doubtful to participate in the remainder of the season. RCB's Director of Cricket for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has provided an update on the status of Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. Bobat confirmed that Hazlewood is still in the recovery phase from a shoulder niggle. He further elaborated that the pacer is currently undergoing his rehabilitation program in Australia and remains focused on regaining full fitness.

Josh Hazlewood is still recovering from his shoulder niggle: MO Bobat

RCB are currently gearing up for their upcoming match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) which is slated to be played May 17 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

"With Josh, he's our only player not here at the moment. He's recovering from his shoulder niggle that he had. He's doing that with Cricket Australia. Our medical team and their medical teams have been liaising on what that detail looks like and he's just taking that day by day and he's trying to improve his shot," Mo Bobat said in a RCB's official YouTube channel.

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Josh Hazlewood's role has been instrumental in RCB's success in the IPL 2025 so far. He has been a prominent figure in RCB set-up, renowned for his ability to generate significant bounce, even on pitches that appear to offer little assistance to fast bowlers. This attribute has made the towering Australian a formidable threat to opposition batsmen. Prior to missing RCB's recent match against the Chennai Super Kings due to a shoulder niggle, Hazlewood was the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, holding the purple cap with an impressive tally of 18 wickets from 10 matches. His absence allowed Gujarat Titans' Prasidh Krishna and Chennai Super Kings' Noor Ahmad to surpass him, both now holding 20 wickets.

In the game against CSK, South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi stepped into Hazlewood's place in the playing XI and delivered a noteworthy performance, claiming three wickets in what turned out to be a high-scoring encounter.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have accumulated 16 points from their 11 matches, securing eight wins. They now require just one more win to guarantee their spot in the playoffs. While Lungi Ngidi will be available for RCB's remaining three league games, his services will not extend into the playoff stage, which starts on May 29. Consequently, RCB will be hoping for a swift recovery for Josh Hazlewood, aiming to have their key bowler back in action for the crucial later stages of the tournament.