Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru desperately need their premier pacer Josh Hazlewood back in the squad if they want to continue the winning momentum in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Hazlewood has missed the last two matches and he is yet to rejoin the squad after the tournament suspension.
In Hazlewood's absence, RCB added Lungi Ngidi as their frontline overseas pacer, and he picked up three wickets in the team's clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), but he was among the most expensive bowlers in that match, conceding 30 runs.
In Hazlewood's absence, the Bengaluru-based franchise has conceded more than 200 runs in their last two outings. Kaif who also represented RCB in his IPL career, believes that without Hazlewood, RCB's bowling department is one-dimensional.
"All of RCB's hard work could be spoiled because Hazlewood was not there for RCB in these last two matches. In both those matches RCB have conceded over 200 runs, first against CSK, and now against SRH in this match. Without him, this bowling attack is one-dimensional. Until Hazlewood was there, RCB had conceded only 200 runs once this season," Kaif said in a video posted on his Twitter/X account.
Kaif said that if Hazlewood won't be able to join the squad in time, then it would be tough for the Bengaluru-based franchise to win the title.
"Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal looked great while bowling along with Hazlewood, but without him it looks different. They are missing him at the moment. If Hazlewood fails to be fit in time, and remains unavailable, then it will be difficult for RCB to win during the business end of the tournament. Not having Hazlewood is like getting your right hand cut away," Kaif added.
RCB have already qualified for the playoffs and the franchise are currently preparing for the last league clash against Lucknow Super Giants which is scheduled to take place on May 27 at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.