Royal Challengers Bengaluru received an early boost ahead of IPL 2026 with Josh Hazlewood joining the team in Bengaluru on Thursday, just days ahead of their opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The defending champions will begin their campaign on March 28 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, with anticipation rising among fans following the pacer’s arrival.
RCB confirmed Hazlewood’s return with a low-key video on social media, capturing his arrival and interaction with his teammates. The clip quickly created a buzz, with fans hoping to see one of their key pitchers in action to open the season. Although his presence has lifted spirits in the camp, his immediate availability remains uncertain.
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WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:
This is not an exercise.
This is not a joke (well, the beginning of the reel was).
This is really happening.
The one the entire RCB Nation wanted to see has arrived.
HazleGOD is in ‘ur and we can’t contain our excitement!!! #PlayBold #RCB #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/qAiMVa38Zr— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 26, 2026
Hazlewood has been recovering from hamstring and Achilles injuries in recent months and his return to full fitness is still closely monitored. Currently, his inclusion in the playing eleven will depend entirely on a medical examination.
WILL JOSH HAZLEWOOD PLAY RCB VS SRH?
Although he joined the team, Hazlewood is unlikely to feature in the opening match against Hyderabad. Cricket Australia is understood to be taking a cautious approach to its workload, especially with a busy Test calendar on the horizon.
The fast bowler is yet to receive a full fitness clearance, meaning RCB are expected to facilitate his return rather than risk an early setback. Reports suggest that he might miss the opening phase of the tournament and return only after he is fully fit for the match.
It poses an early challenge for RCB in their title defense as their leading overseas pacer is not immediately available for selection.
WHO CAN RCB TURN TO IN THE PRESENCE OF HAZLEWOOD?
In Hazlewood’s absence RCB are likely to explore backup options to plug the gap in their pace. Jacob Duffy is expected to be in line for opportunities in the opening games and will offer a seam-like option.
Further complicating matters is the absence of Yash Dayal, who is unavailable due to legal issues, weakening the Indian contingent. There is also uncertainty surrounding Nuwan Thushara as Sri Lanka Cricket reportedly did not grant him a No Objection Certificate under the new fitness regulations.
This means that while RCB have the numbers, the experience is limited. Bhuvneshwar Kumar remains the only proven operator in these conditions, especially at Chinnaswamy. Duffy struggled to impress on Indian pitches during the T20 World Cup, Rasikh Dar Salam endured a difficult IPL 2025 and Mangesh Yadav is still an uncapped, relatively untested option at this level.
Even so, Hazlewood’s arrival will give the team a psychological boost. While he may not feature right away, his presence in the squad and expected return later in the season could prove crucial as RCB look to build momentum and defend their title.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
27 March 2026 08:54 IST
