Right ahead of the IPL 2026 curtain-raiser, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have dealt a huge blow as their star pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of team's campaign opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). RCB head coach Andy Flower ended suspense over the availability of Hazlewood for the IPL 2026 opener on March 28. He confirmed that Hazlewood won't be featuring in the RCB versus SRH clash at the M Chinnaswamy stadium.
RCB suffer 'Josh Hazlewood' blow ahead of IPL 2026 opener
Speaking to the press on the eve of the opening match, Flower confirmed that Hazlewood will not be part of the playing XI for the clash against SRH. The head coach noted that the Australian right-arm seamer is currently unavailable, and the franchise's medical team is closely monitoring his fitness levels before cleared for future fixtures.
"He won’t be ready for tomorrow; he’s just got off the plane. We’ll be monitoring his fitness very closely, and we are looking forward to him making his entrance into the IPL,” Flower said in the pre-match press conference.
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Hazlewood’s ongoing fitness struggles have become a focal point for RCB as they begin their title defense. The veteran seamer has been sidelined from competitive cricket since the Sheffield Shield in October 2025, having battled a combination of hamstring and Achilles issues. These injuries were significant enough to force him out of major international assignments, including the Ashes and the 2026 T20 World Cup. While Hazlewood has officially joined the RCB camp in Bengaluru, head coach Andy Flower has confirmed that he is not yet match-ready.
No timeline for Hazlewood's return
Although a specific return date hasn't been set, the right-arm pacer is expected to miss at least the first few games of the season. Following their opener against SRH, the defending champions have a week-long hiatus before facing the Chennai Super Kings on April 5. The franchise is aiming to have him ready for that high-profile clash, but the medical staff is exercising extreme caution. Given the risk of a relapse, the Rajat Patidar-led side is unwilling to rush their spearhead back into action and lose him for the remainder of the tournament.
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The absence of the 35-year-old is a major tactical blow for the squad, as he was arguably their most reliable bowling asset during their 2025 championship run. Hazlewood's impact last season was undeniable, where he claimed 22 wickets in just 12 innings. His ability to perform under pressure was particularly impressive given that he entered the 2025 season with similar injury clouds hanging over him, only to silence critics with his clinical execution on the field.
Flower also touched upon the broader team dynamics and preparations. Despite the setback with Hazlewood, the title-winning coach expressed high confidence in the squad's readiness for the 19th edition of the IPL. He emphasized that the team is energized and looking forward to the challenges of the 2026 season as they seek to become back-to-back champions.
"It was a hugely proud moment. So to have the result we had last year, it was a special, emotional moment. By saying that this is 2026. We are looking forward to this season, it is time to look forward to another challenge," Andy Flower concluded.