RCB’s Josh Hazlewood (PTI Photo/Kamal Kishore) NEW DELHI: Australian star pacer Josh Hazlewood will miss the start of IPL 2026, extending his long injury break from cricket. According to a report from Codesports.com, the Aussie has been out for months and fans will have to wait a little longer to see him back in action.
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Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag watches West Ham vs Man City in LondonAt the same time, several Australian players are facing tough decisions about playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to security concerns.
Hazlewood and Cummins are still recovering
Josh Hazlewood has been dealing with hamstring and Achilles problems and his return continues to be delayed. He is now expected to miss at least the first two matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, meaning he may not play until mid-April. At the time, it would have been nearly five months since his last game.A report from TimesofIndia.com states that Australian pacer Pat Cummins is also recovering from a back injury. And there is still no definite date when he will join Sunrisers Hyderabad in the tournament. Both players missed most of the domestic season and were unavailable for Australia’s World T20 campaign. Officials insist their absence was about fitness timing, not IPL ahead of international duty.Cricket Australia is extremely cautious about both players, especially with a busy schedule ahead that includes many Test matches and the World Cup.
Australian players weigh in on PSL risks
While some Australians are gearing up for the IPL, others like Steve Smith, David Warner and Glenn Maxwell are expected to feature in the PSL. However, rising tensions in the region are causing concern.Players are warned of security issues, including ongoing conflicts and travel risks. One match in Peshawar is of particular concern as the area is currently designated as a “do not travel” area by the Australian government. To allay fears, the Pakistan Cricket Board even suggested using a private jet to evacuate the players if necessary.
