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May 12, 2025 - Bengaluru, India: after missing Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) most recent home game due to a shoulder ailment, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood is probably going to miss the rest of the 2025 Indian Premier League. His return looks increasingly questionable as the World Test Championship (WTC) final approaches and the event is now delayed.
Hazlewood had already missed RCB's clash against Chennai Super Kings on May 3 due to the injury, and was doubtful for the following match against Lucknow Super Giants on May 9 - a fixture that was ultimately suspended as the IPL paused for a week amid geopolitical tensions.
Hazlewood might not be risked given his fitness and Australia's impending Test obligations, even if the competition immediately begins.
Hazlewood had recovered well from a calf injury and a side strain in the season, which also prevented him from playing important international matches like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Champions Trophy and the the Sri Lanka Test Tour. While he returned to bowling form during the IPL, the latest shoulder concern raises fresh fitness questions.
Despite these concerns, Cricket Australia (CA) is reportedly not alarmed. Hazlewood is expected to be included in Australia's Test squad for the WTC final at Lord's starting June 11, with a pre-tournament training camp scheduled in the UK in early June.
A truce declared on May 10 has created the possibility of an IPL resume after it was temporarily halted on May 9 owing to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. A revised schedule has not yet been confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
"The BCCI is closely monitoring the evolving situation?We will take a call on IPL resumption after consulting all stakeholders and concerned authorities."BCCI srcretary Devajit Saikia said in a statment.
If important foreign players, like Hazlewood, do not return, teams like RCB may find it difficult to regain entire squads with only 13 league games and four playoff games left.
Australia's attention is now turning to the WTC final with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Hazlewood seen as crucial components of their speed assault. The advantages of a hasty return might be outweighed by the possibility of making a shoulder injury worse during the IPL.
Although it would hurt RCB's chances of making the playoffs, Hazlewood's absence from the remainder of the IPL is a preventative measure that fits with Australia's larger Test goals.
