Josh Hazlewood Injury Update: RCB Pacer Still Nursing Leg Injury Ahead Of IPL 2026

Josh Hazlewood is set to miss the opening matches of IPL 2026, dealing an early blow to Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title defence.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set to begin their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad, but the team has been hit with a major setback ahead of the opener. Star Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood is likely to miss the initial phase of the tournament due to ongoing injury concerns.

Hazlewood played a crucial role in RCB’s title-winning campaign in IPL 2025, including their dominant victory over Punjab Kings in the final. His absence at the start of the new season could significantly impact RCB’s bowling attack.

Injury Concerns Continue For Josh Hazlewood

The experienced right-arm fast bowler has been struggling with multiple injuries in recent months. Hazlewood missed the 2025 Ashes due to an Achilles issue and has also been sidelined from key tournaments such as the Champions Trophy and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Despite expectations of a return ahead of the T20 World Cup, persistent fitness problems forced selectors to leave him out of the squad. Reports from CODE Sports now suggest that he is still recovering from both hamstring and Achilles injuries, raising concerns over his immediate availability.

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Likely To Miss Opening Matches For RCB

According to reports, Hazlewood is expected to miss at least the first two matches of IPL 2026. Cricket Australia is closely managing his workload, along with captain Pat Cummins, with an eye on future international commitments, including the Test series against Bangladesh national cricket team later this year.

RCB are scheduled to play their opening fixtures at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, facing Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings. With Hazlewood unlikely to return before March 29, the franchise will need to adjust its bowling combination for the early part of the season. His absence could prove to be a crucial factor as RCB aim to defend their IPL crown in the 2026 edition.