Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) faces an important decision IPL 2026 seasonJosh Hazlewood’s continued injuries have put his availability in doubt. Despite missing most of the matches this summer, the Australian paceman, retained by RCB for ₹ 10.75 crore, has 57 IPL wickets at a strike rate of 15.21 but has played just 15 matches since 2023 due to side strains and Achilles problems.
IPL 2026: 3 possible replacements for injured Josh Hazlewood
1) Jhye Richardson
Jhye Richardson is emerging as RCB’s main target for the Hazlewood role, mixing raw pace with lethal nous. The 29-year-old right-armer has 27 IPL wickets in 24 games for Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians, an economy of 8.15 and a strike rate of 17.4 balls per wicket – better than Hazlewood’s IPL mark. His outstanding 2025 Big Bash League saw 18 wickets in 10 overs at an economy of 7.92, including a career-best 4/16, while in The Hundred he claimed 12 scalps at 7.45 runs in 8 matches.
Richardson’s ability to hit 145 kmph and late reverse makes him ideal for Chinnaswamy’s dew factor.
2) Alzarri Joseph
West Indies tear-jerker Alzarri Joseph delivers a raw 150km/h thunderbolt to fill Hazlewood’s executive void with proven IPL bite. The 29-year-old right-armer has taken 21 wickets at an economy of 9.55 in 22 IPL appearances for Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians and RCB, peaking at 6/12 in his debut season. In his 2025 CPL campaign, he took 18 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 8.45 and in the T20 Blast, he took 14 scalps at 7.90 runs in 10 matches.
Joseph’s barrage and seam movement fits RCB’s aggressive template and offers above-middle wickets. At a base price of around ₹2 crore, it qualifies as a high-impact overseas option.
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3) Wian Mulder
Wian Mulder providing RCB dual assistance as seam bowling, covering Hazlewood’s workload while adding middle-order muscle. The 28-year-old South African has had limited IPL exposure but impressed with 16 wickets in 12 overs in T20 Blast 2025 with an economy of 7.88 and a strike rate of 132. His Test record shows 40 wickets at an average of 28.45, where he seamlessly transitions to the wicket in T2000. 8.10 economy plus 112 runs in 8 overs.
Mulder’s ability to hit cutters in the middle overs (strike rate 18.5 in T20s) and bat at No.7 reflects Hazlewood’s discipline without the baggage of injury.
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