The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL 2026 campaign it hasn’t even started and they are already facing massive failure. Star Australian pacer Josh Hazlewoodone of the architects of their historic title win in 2025, is set to miss several matches of the season due to ongoing injury concerns.
For a team that finally broke their title drought last year, this isn’t just a minor absence – it’s a disruption to a key part of their bowling attack. Hazlewood has been a reliable figure for RCB especially in high-pressure moments and his absence will be felt in the opening game.
He has been officially ruled out of RCB’s first two games:
- Season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
- A much awaited clash against Chennai Super Kings in Bengaluru on 5th April.
Both games are high-profile encounters and losing a player of Hazlewood’s caliber at these early stages could immediately test RCB’s squad depth.
His absence is due to a nagging injury that has sidelined him for months. The 35-year-old has been sidelined since November 2025 after recovering from a hamstring injury which was aggravated by an Achilles tendon problem. These setbacks forced him to miss major international assignments, including the Ashes 2025-26 and the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Hazlewood is currently undergoing rehabilitation in Sydney under the supervision of the Cricket Australia medical team. He is expected to travel to India only after receiving full fitness clearance, which means RCB fans will have to wait a little longer to see him back in action.
RCB’s bowling conundrum: Who steps up in Hazlewood’s absence?
Hazlewood’s absence is not just missing a player, but a proven match-winner. In IPL 2025, he played a crucial role in RCB’s title run, picking up 22 wickets at an impressive average of 17.55 in just 12 matches. Whether striking early on the power play or providing pinpoint accuracy at the death, Hazlewood brought control and consistency to the attack.
Without him, RCB will have to rethink their bowling formations, especially against strong teams like SRH and CSK in the opening matches.
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The immediate responsibility will fall on experienced Indian seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar who is likely to handle the new ball. Known for his swing and discipline, Bhuvneshwar has the experience to handle pressure situations, but he will need support.
Foreign options include Nuwan Thushara of Sri Lanka and New Zealand Jacob Duffy are strong contenders to fill Hazlewood’s spot. Both bring unique skill sets – Thuhar with his slingshot movement and yorkers and Duffy with his ability to hit consistent lines.
RCB may even explore temporary replacements if Hazlewood’s recovery takes longer than expected.
Interestingly, RCB is not alone in battling such concerns. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper Pat Cummins is also expected to miss the opening game due to a back injury. This means the opening match of IPL 2026 could see both teams miss their first Australian innings – adding an unusual twist to an already highly anticipated clash.
