Josh Hazlewood Returns to Boost RCB’s Maiden IPL Title Hopes; KKR Gears Up with Full Squad for Playoff Push

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood is preparing to return to India and rejoin Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as they gear up for the final stretch of their campaign to win a maiden IPL title. Sources close to the player confirmed to Hindustan Times that Hazlewood will soon fly back to India, although the exact date of his arrival is still being finalised.

Hazlewood, who has played a key role in RCB’s impressive run this season with 18 wickets in 10 matches, missed their previous game due to a shoulder injury. However, any concerns about his fitness were dispelled when he was named in Australia’s squad for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final.

“Yes, Josh will travel to India. We are in discussion with the authorities about the exact date of his arrival,” a source close to the bowler told HT on the condition of anonymity.

Hazlewood had returned to Australia after the IPL was paused for a week due to escalating border tensions between India and Pakistan. As the BCCI announced a revised schedule and the league prepares to resume on May 17, uncertainty loomed over the availability of several overseas players—particularly from Australia and South Africa—who are also preparing for the WTC final.

While doubts remain over the participation of South African stars like Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi, Hazlewood’s confirmed return is a big boost for RCB, especially as the team could be without captain Rajat Patidar, who is nursing an injury.

Cricket Australia has publicly backed its players, stating it would support whatever decision each individual made regarding their return. “Following the announcement that the IPL will resume on Saturday, Cricket Australia will support players in their individual decisions whether to return to India or not,” the board said.

RCB are scheduled to face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their first game after the break, but with Hazlewood’s travel date still unconfirmed, his participation in that match remains uncertain.

In the lead-up to the restart, several international players have already joined their IPL squads. West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd linked up with the RCB camp ahead of Saturday’s game, accompanied by fellow countrymen Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, along with KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo. However, Shepherd’s availability beyond May 29 is unclear, as he is part of the West Indies ODI squad for their England tour, which overlaps with the IPL playoffs.

England’s Liam Livingstone has also joined the RCB squad, having been left out of England’s upcoming ODI and T20I squads. Jacob Bethell, another English player already with RCB, was also omitted from England’s four-day Test against Zimbabwe, allowing him to continue his IPL stint until May 25, the original date of the final, under the terms of the ECB’s no-objection certificates.

Meanwhile, KKR have quietly assembled their full squad without any last-minute issues. “KKR players and support staff have assembled in Bengaluru for our match vs RCB on 17 May,” the franchise confirmed.

With Hazlewood on his way back and international stars returning to the fold, the final leg of the IPL promises to be an intense fight for playoff spots—starting with a high-stakes face-off between RCB and KKR.