Josh Hazlewood Set to Return for IPL 2025 Playoffs with RCB After Rehab

23 May, 2025 | 09:57 AM

Australian pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood is likely to return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 for the playoff stage, rejoining Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after successfully recovering from a shoulder niggle.

Hazlewood, who has been instrumental for RCB this season, missed their last league game prior to the mid-season break. He returned to Australia for rehabilitation and has since been undergoing training in Brisbane as part of Australia’s build-up to the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa.

Sources confirm to ESPNcricinfo that Hazlewood has responded well to the rehab and training sessions and is expected to fly back to India, although his return date is yet to be officially confirmed. The right-arm quick has had an excellent season so far, picking up 18 wickets at an impressive average of 17.27 from 10 matches.

RCB, already assured of a spot in the playoffs, still have two league games remaining — against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 24 and Lucknow Super Giants on May 27 — which will determine their final standing and pathway through the knockout stages.

This IPL stint marks Hazlewood’s return to competitive cricket after an injury-plagued home season. He last played during the third Test against India before being sidelined with a calf strain, which followed earlier side and Achilles injuries. These setbacks also ruled him out of the Sri Lanka tour and the Champions Trophy.

With the WTC final scheduled shortly after the IPL, Hazlewood is tipped to reclaim his spot in Australia’s playing XI, potentially edging out Scott Boland. He missed the 2023 WTC final against India due to injury.

Among Australia’s Test squad members, only Hazlewood and Josh Inglis (Punjab Kings) remain involved in the IPL playoffs. The final is set for June 3, giving players just under a week to join the national team in the UK. Other squad members, including captain Pat Cummins and Travis Head (Sunrisers Hyderabad), will conclude their IPL commitments by May 25, while Mitchell Starc chose not to return to the tournament.

Meanwhile, several other Australian players — Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, and travelling reserve Brendan Doggett — are currently engaged in county cricket in England.