Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will be missing talismanic bowler Josh Hazlewood against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 26 due to a lack of clearance from Cricket Australia. Due to an Achilles injury, the Australia pacer was initially ruled out of the first half of the IPL 2023. However, the 33-year-old hit the nets before of the KKR encounter and is well prepared. The RCB provided an update on Hazlewood, and it appears that the Australian pacer will resume competitive action in two months.
Hazlewood’s emergence in the RCB bowling attack is a huge assist as they try to solve their death bowling problems. In the seven matches that RCB has played thus far, their bowlers have failed to defend 200-plus runs on two occasions. Hazlewood should be able to address the situation with two vital overs in the death overs. The RCB bowler was outstanding in the last IPL season, taking 20 wickets in 12 matches with an economy rate of 8 runs per over.
With Mohammed Siraj in terrific form, Hazlewood will seek to establish a powerful bowling combination with the Indian seamer and assist RCB in regaining consistency in the second half of the IPL.