Before the 2025 IPL playoffs, the Western Australian bowler was preparing to rejoin the teams. Reports by Hindustan Times say that he would land in India by week-end next and would be available for the knockout games.
Hazlewood was not there to play against Chennai Super Kings due to a shoulder issue, but he still ranks as the season’s most impactful performer with 18 wickets from just 10 matches, standing third in the wicket-takers’ list for IPL 2025. A source confirmed to Hindustan Times that he’ll be arriving around the time the playoffs begin.
This augurs well for RCB, more so in an absence of Lungi Ngidi, who after being recalled by the CSA for the World Test Championship final, will not be allowed to appear in the playoff stages. Hazlewood had gone home after the tournament came to a halt following rising tensions on the India-Pakistan border. With ceasefire now in place and IPL back in full flow, fans were eagerly waiting for some news about Hazlewood’s comeback.
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Even though there were some doubts early on about him returning to India, it now appears that those have been dispelled after ongoing discussions between him and the RCB management, and he is expected to join them for the final stage of the season. His comeback could prove to be a big boost for RCB in their quest to improve their chances in the playoffs being second in the points table with 16 points from 11 matches played before the league was put on a break.