In a massive update, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has rejoined the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad, as they storm into the Playoffs of the Indian Premier League 2025. Hazlewood, who had been nursing a shoulder niggle missed out a league stage fixture for RCB, and once the tournament was suspended, he returned to Australia, with very slim chances of comeback being evident.
However, in a surprising development, the seasoned campaigner is now ready to provide his right-arm pace to the Rajat Patidar-led side once again. With his arrival to India, it is now confirmed that the pacer has fully recovered from the niggle and is most likely to take part in RCB’s last league stage clash against Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday, May 27, which is set to be played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium.
The franchise took to social media to casually announce his arrival in an encrypted manner, but the RCB fans, who are among the most passionate ones online, were quick to take the hint from a picture of cricket kit, with Cricket Australia’s branding done all across the bags.
Tim Seifert too joins
Meanwhile, RCB had also picked Tim Seifert as one of their temporary replacements for the season for the English batter Jacob Bethell. The New Zealander too has now marked his arrival in the team set-up ahead of the LSG clash. However, his participation for the upcoming clash remains a doubt, since Hazlewood is likely to make the cut among the four overseas players that are permitted in a Playing XI.
Hazlewood, meanwhile, may not be taking a lot of toll on his body, since he is also in Australia’s squad that will cross swords against South Africa in the World Test Championship 2025 Final at the Lord’s, London, just a week after the conclusion of the cash-rich tournament.
