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Key Points

Josh Hazlewood has rejoined the Royal Challengers Bengaluru just in time for their crucial league match against Lucknow Super Giants. He returns from a shoulder injury that kept him sidelined since April, hoping to propel RCB towards a top-two finish. The Australian pacer has been a standout performer for RCB this season, boasting impressive wicket-taking numbers. South African Lungi Ngidi temporarily filled Hazlewood's role but will miss the playoffs due to commitments in the upcoming World Test Championship final.

Key Points: Hazlewood Boosts RCB Ahead of LSG Clash

  • Hazlewood returns from shoulder injury
  • RCB eyes top-two finish with LSG win
  • Ngidi replaced by Muzarabani due to WTC commitments
  • Hazlewood crucial for RCB's playoff strategy
3 min read

Josh Hazlewod rejoins RCB camp ahead of final league game against LSG

Josh Hazlewood rejoins RCB for the final league game, aiming a top-two finish.

"Hazlewood has emerged as RCB's most reliable all-format bowler this season. - ESPNCricinfo"

Bengaluru, May 25

In a positive development for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood rejoined the team ahead of their final league stage game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) scheduled for Tuesday.

Hazlewood has joined the squad after being out on the sidelines for a while due to a shoulder injury.

The Aussie star has been RCB's top wicket-taker with 18 scalps in 10 matches, including a four-wicket haul. He has not featured in the competition since April 27 and returned to his home country following the league's temporary suspension due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.

As per ESPNCricinfo, Hazlewood was all set for a return after a brief stint in rehab at home. He is also training for Australia's ICC World Test Championship final against South Africa in the UK from June 11 onwards.

RCB is already in the playoffs, with eight wins, four losses and a no result. They are sitting in third spot in the points table with 17 points. But after a loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), they suffered a setback as their chances of finishing in the top two, which will help them get two shots at the final, have taken considerable damage. However, a top-two finish is still possible, given Punjab Kings (PBKS) lose their last game against Mumbai Indians (MI) and RCB win theirs.

Despite such a break in their matches, Hazlewood has emerged as RCB's most reliable all-format bowler this season and is the fourth-highest wicket-taker this season, at an average of 17.27 and an economy of 8.44. The next most successful bowler for the franchise is spinner Krunal Pandya (with 15), followed by left-arm pacer Yash Dayal (10 scalps).

South Africa pacer Lungi Ngidi filled Hazlewood's shoes for a while, with four wickets in two matches. He will be not be around for the playoffs due to WTC final duties for the Proteas. Pacer Nuwan Thusara has not got a game yet, while Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani will also link up with the team as a replacement for Ngidi.

Hazlewood returned to action during the IPL after an injury-affected summer where he did not he missed the bulk of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home against India due to a calf injury. The injury also caused him to miss the Test tour to Sri Lanka and the ICC Champions Trophy.

The pacer is expected to edge out Scott Boland to make it to the WTC Final playing XI, having missed out 2023 final against India due to injury.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

Here are 6 authentic Indian fan comments for the RCB-Josh Hazlewood article:
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Rahul K.
Massive boost for RCB! Hazlewood's return couldn't have come at a better time. His economy rate of 8.44 in this high-scoring IPL is gold dust. Hope he stays fit for playoffs and WTC final 🤞 #PlayBold
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Priya M.
As an RCB fan, I'm happy but also worried - will he be 100% match fit? We can't afford another injury in playoffs. Should manage his workload carefully. Fingers crossed for that top-2 finish!
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Arjun S.
Interesting how IPL scheduling got affected by India-Pak tensions but players like Hazlewood used the break well. His 18 wickets prove why he's world class. Hope he delivers against LSG's power hitters!
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Sanjana T.
While I'm happy for RCB, I hope this doesn't affect his WTC prep against us (India). Remember how he troubled our batters in BGT 2020-21! Mixed feelings as an Indian cricket fan 😅
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Vikram J.
His injury record is concerning - missed BGT, SL tour, now IPL games. RCB paying big bucks but getting half a season. Still, when fit, he's lethal with that perfect line-length bowling. #RCBvLSG
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Neha P.
Hazlewood + Siraj bowling in tandem at Chinnaswamy? Deadly combo! Hope Faf uses him wisely against LSG's left-handers. RCB's playoff hopes looking brighter now 💪 #EeSaalaCupNamde

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