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On Sunday, May 18, along with Gujarat Titans (GT), Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) also sealed their playoffs berth in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. However, a day prior, Bengaluru-based franchise shared a point with defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after their match was marred by rain, thus inching closer to confirming their place.
But with RCB set to feature in their 10 th playoff in IPL, they have been bolstered by the likes of Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood. The Aussie pacer, who returned to his country after the tournament halted due to hightened tensions between India and Pakistan, is yet to rejoin the side in India with RCB still to play two league stage matches before kickstarting their playoffs campaign.
Josh Hazlewood resumes bowling in nets; set to rejoin RCB squad ahead of IPL 2025 playoffs
But ahead of the playoffs, RCB have been handed a massive boost as they will be able to avail the services of their star pacer Josh Hazlewood, who has resumed bowling in nets. However, Hazlewood is in Australia so far, he is set to join the side in the coming days. In the videos going viral on social media, Hazlewood was seen throwing down to Sam Konstas as the team prepares for the highly-anticipated World Test Championship 2025 final, set to be played from 11-15 June at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Notably, prior to RCB’s game against KKR in Bengaluru, RCB’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, shared an update on Hazlewood as he was nursing an injury. “Josh is our only player not here at the moment. He’s recovering from his shoulder niggle that he had. He’s doing that with Cricket Australia. Our medical team and their medical teams have been liasing on what that detail looks like and he’s just taking that day by day,” Bobat said.
Furthermore a report in the Sydney Morning Herald stated that Hazlewood will rejoin the side ahead of the playoffs. As quoted by the newspaper, the 34-year-old remarked, “will spend next week completing rehabilitation in Brisbane on shoulder before travelling to India for the playoffs.”
