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The Indian Premier League (IPL) was supposed to end on May 25 as per the initial schedule. However, the military conflict between Indian and Pakistan led to IPL getting postponed for more than a week. While World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final-bound South Africa players left their respective franchises after the league stage clashes, Josh Hazlewood stayed with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). After recovering from shoulder injury, Hazlewood played a huge role in RCB's maiden IPL title win. He joined the Australian camp a week ahead of the WTC final and was picked in the side over Scott Boland. The decision did not sit right with former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson as Pat Cummins' side lost to South Africa by five wickets at Lord's, London, on June 14.
"Our successful ‘big four’ bowling attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon can’t be taken for granted as a lock going forward either. We’ve seen concerns about Hazlewood’s fitness in recent years, and his decision to prioritise returning to the delayed Indian Premier League over his national team preparations raised eyebrows. Lyon didn’t look his best on day three either," Johnson wrote in his column for Western Australian.
"If veteran players are sticking around just for the Ashes as a send-off, it does beg the question of whether that’s the right mindset. It’s crucial that we embrace the future and build confidence in selecting our next Test players," Johnson added.
Hazlewood's performance in WTC 2025 final
In the first innings, he knocked over Tristan Stubbs with a beauty. In the second innings, he got the wicket of Aiden Markram but it was too late for Australia to make a comeback. He bowled a total of 34 overs, including seven maidens and conceded 85 runs.
Hazlewood becomes RCB's trump card
Hazlewood was RCB's highest wicket-taker in the season. From 12 games, he took 22 wickets at an average of 17.54. In the WTC 2025 final, he took just two wickets.
RCB's mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik had lauded Hazlewood for increasing his workload during practice sessions. Karthik said that he had one eye on WTC final during IPL playoffs.
"Hazlewood when he came back to India after IPL resumption had one eye on the league and other on the WTC final. He increased his workload in practice sessions by bowling longer spells keeping in mind the Test cricket. He used to bowl multiple 4 overs in a day to get into the rhythm of Test cricket."
"Hazlewood used to bowl 4 overs and then used to take a 15 minute break before once again bowling multiple 4 overs in the Indian heat, as he had the WTC finale in his mind."
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