Former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will not need Josh Hazlewood to play the entire tournament. Hazlewood, who was injured before the Ashes, has been out of action since then and is likely to miss the first half of IPL 2026 for RCB.
Injury after injury has struck, and Josh Hazlewood has not been able to recover despite his determination to play in all three formats of the game, unlike teammate Mitchell Starc, who has given up T20Is to focus on his Test career. Hazlewood is still undergoing rehabilitation, and his return remains a major uncertainty.
However, the biggest concern for the defending champions ahead of the IPL 2026 season is whether the Australian speedster will be able to bounce back for the full season. He was their champion bowler in the last edition and finished with 22 wickets in 12 matches for the defending champions.
I don’t think he needs to be fit for the whole tournament – Michael Clarke
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has said that RCB fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, whose availability has been a growing concern, does not need to be available for them throughout the tournament. RCB will start their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad at their home ground Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28.
Clarke interestingly said that it would still be fine if Hazlewood is fit and returns in the latter half of RCB’s campaign; That’s when the main work has to be done, by which he meant the qualifying stage and the knockouts.
“However, Josh Hazlewood is a big player. I think it looks like he is not in India. I think that could be decisive. If he is fit for that tournament. I don’t think he needs to be fit for the whole tournament.”
“Probably the backend; if they can get him going and bowl well, I think he’s a match-winner. For RCB, I think they will be very confident in what they have achieved. I think Josh is a big player for them,” he said on ‘Beyond23 Cricket Podcast’.
Australian cricketer declares RCB as most consistent unit in IPL
Another Australian cricketer, Peter Hatzoglou, has stressed the importance of continuity within a unit. He identified the defending champions as one of the franchises that is showing remarkable consistency not only from its players but also from the coaches and other staff.
“Continuity and having a consistent key account means a lot. Not only the players and coaches but also the staff around the group are very important in setting the team up for success,” he said.
He then continued to praise Josh Hazlewood at RCB and his contribution behind RCB’s first IPL win. He seemed impressed by the integrated continuity in the RCB management.
“RCB, Josh Hazlewood has been a champion there and he has consistency throughout the organisation, which sets you up for success,” he said. (via above source)
Who can be Josh Hazlewood’s replacement in RCB’s playing eleven?
Josh Hazlewood is definitely not coming to play the first part of the tournament, and being the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bangalore cannot compromise with their starts. A player will have to replace Hazlewood and who RCB will choose for this role remains a big question.
Royal Challengers will have players like Nuwan Thushara, who has played a few matches in the IPL before, and they will also have debutant fast bowler Jacob Duffy. Duffy is a bowler very much like Hazlewood who often provides a lot of bounce on the track and some movement with the new ball.
However, he will also get a chance to start alongside Jacob Bethel in the playing eleven, but in such circumstances, he will have to maintain faith in his Indian bowling attack, which will be led by the likes of experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya.
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