The excitement is building ahead of the RCB vs SRH opening match, which will kick off the IPL 2026 season on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. As defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are expected to walk out with confidence and plenty of noise from the home crowd. Yet one question keeps popping up among fans: is Josh Hazlewood available for RCB? With the Australian quick still recovering from injury, his participation in the RCB vs SRH opening match remains uncertain, leaving the champions with a bit of an early-season headache.
Contents
Josh Hazlewood’s Injury Cloud
The reason people keep asking is Josh Hazlewood available for RCB is fairly simple: the fast bowler has spent months on the sidelines. Hazlewood has been dealing with a series of physical setbacks, including hamstring and Achilles tendon injuries that first surfaced late in 2025.
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨
– Jos Hazlewood might miss 1st game for RCB in IPL 2026
– He’s currently under rehab and a final call will be taken in the upcoming days. pic.twitter.com/WGRrvFvdso
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) March 12, 2026
His last competitive appearance came in November while playing domestic cricket in Australia. Shortly afterwards, he was ruled out of the Ashes 2025–26 series and also missed the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Since then, the experienced seamer has remained under the supervision of medical staff and physiotherapists, working through rehabilitation rather than bowling in competitive matches.
Josh Hazlewood’s IPL 2026 Availability in Doubt👀
Josh Hazlewood is currently recovering under physio care. His IPL 2026 participation for Royal Challengers Bengaluru depends on medical clearance.(Vishesh Roy) pic.twitter.com/eMzpfzAGiX
— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) March 12, 2026
Reports suggest that Hazlewood is still awaiting final medical clearance before travelling to India to join the squad. That’s why the question is Josh Hazlewood available for RCB continues to linger as the RCB vs SRH opening match approaches. For now, it’s very much a wait-and-see situation.
Related Article：IPL 2026 Schedule Unveiled with 20 Matches in Opening Phase
Why RCB Depend on Hazlewood So Much?
The uncertainty surrounding Hazlewood matters because he isn’t just another bowler in the squad. In many ways, he was the backbone of RCB’s championship-winning campaign last season. During IPL 2025, Hazlewood finished as the team’s leading wicket-taker, claiming 22 wickets in just 12 matches with an economy rate under nine runs per over. Those numbers only tell part of the story, though. Time and again he delivered crucial spells in pressure moments, particularly during the playoffs.
在 Instagram 查看這則貼文
One of his most memorable performances came in Qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings, where his 3/21 dismantled the opposition’s batting order and set up RCB’s path to the final. His ability to strike early with the new ball and then return for disciplined overs later in the innings made him a vital part of the team’s bowling strategy.
Big stage, big crowd, big win! 🌟
Josh Hazlewood cherishes the IPL final experience at Narendra Modi Stadium. 🎉 #IPL2025 #JoshHazlewood #RCB #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/KfuUKgs8FX
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) June 8, 2025
That’s exactly why discussions about RCB replacement for Josh Hazlewood have started circulating. If Hazlewood does miss the RCB vs SRH opening match, the franchise will need someone capable of filling a fairly sizeable gap.
Possible RCB Replacement for Josh Hazlewood
With uncertainty surrounding Hazlewood’s fitness, the management has quietly been considering options for an replacement for Josh Hazlewood. The squad does have a few overseas pace options who could step in if required.
在 Instagram 查看這則貼文
New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy is one name often mentioned as a potential RCB replacement for Josh Hazlewood. Duffy offers a similar style of bowling, relying on accuracy and bounce rather than sheer pace. That makes him a fairly natural fit if the team wants to maintain a similar balance in the bowling attack. Another option could be Romario Shepherd, although his role is slightly different. Shepherd provides useful lower-order hitting along with medium-fast bowling, giving the side additional depth with the bat.
在 Instagram 查看這則貼文
There is also the possibility of Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara stepping in. Known for his ability to swing the new ball and deliver sharp overs at the death, he could offer a slightly different dynamic if Hazlewood isn’t available. Of course, RCB would much prefer not to make that decision at all. If Hazlewood is cleared in time, the need for an RCB replacement for Josh Hazlewood disappears instantly.
SRH Facing a Similar Concern
Interestingly, RCB aren’t the only side dealing with injury uncertainty before the RCB vs SRH opening match. Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins is facing a similar situation. Cummins has also been managing a lingering back injury that affected his workload during the Australian summer. Throughout the Ashes series, his appearances were carefully monitored, and he only featured in one of the Tests after initially missing the opening matches.
在 Instagram 查看這則貼文
He was also expected to play a role in the T20 World Cup earlier this year, but just days before the tournament began, selectors confirmed that he would miss the competition due to fitness concerns. Like Hazlewood, Cummins is currently under the watchful eye of medical staff as IPL 2026 approaches. While he has expressed confidence about participating in the tournament, there is still uncertainty about whether he will be fully fit in time for the RCB vs SRH opening match.
Conclusion
All of this adds an interesting layer to what was already shaping up to be a blockbuster start to the season. However, injuries to key Australian quicks on both sides have added a touch of suspense to the build-up. Fans continue to ask is Josh Hazlewood available for RCB, while SRH supporters are equally curious about Cummins’ fitness.
