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IPL 2025: Josh Hazlewood set to rejoin Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of playoffs

IPL 2025: Josh Hazlewood set to rejoin Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of playoffs

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / May 23, 2025, 15:15 IST

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Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood is set to rejoin Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the IPL playoffs, having recovered from discomfort in his shoulder. He last played on April 27 and has been training in Brisbane for the World Test Championship final. Monitored by Cricket Australia, Hazlewood is progressing well and expected to join RCB before the knockout stage on May 29.

IPL 2025: Josh Hazlewood set to rejoin Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of playoffs

The Australian's return will boost RCB's push for a top-two finish in the IPL (Image via NBT)

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is expected to return to Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the IPL playoffs after recovering from a shoulder injury. The 34-year-old, who last played on April 27 against Delhi Capitals, had briefly returned home during a brief suspension of the IPL owing to India-Pakistan military tensions and has since been training in Brisbane for the World Test Championship final.Cricket Australia's medical team is currently monitoring Hazlewood's progress, with regular communication maintained with the RCB management. "Our medical team and their medical teams have been liaising on what that detail looks like, and he's just taking it day by day," said RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Hazlewood's recovery is progressing well, and he is likely to rejoin the squad before the knockout stage beginning May 29. RCB has secured a playoff spot and aims to finish in the top two positions of the league stage for the first time since 2016. After one of their games was washed out without a single ball being bowled, RCB has two remaining league matches - against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 23 and Lucknow Super Giants on May 27, both of whom have no hopes of making the playoffs.

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Hazlewood has been crucial to RCB's success this season, leading their bowling attack with 19 wickets at an economy rate of 8.44, averaging a little over 17 this season.

Despite playing 3 games lesser than the top 3 in the race for the Purple cap, the Australian still remains on the tail of Prasidh Krishna, Noor Ahmed (both have 21 wickets) and Trent Boult, who has 19 to his name.Who's that IPL player?
The pacer has missed two games since his last appearance and has been preparing in Brisbane as part of Australia's World Test Championship preparations.

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His potential return could significantly boost RCB's bowling lineup for the crucial playoff matches, and in ensuring a top-two finish, following Gujarat Titans' slip-up against Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday.

Get IPL 2025 match schedules, squads, points table, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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