Royal Challengers Bengaluru fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will miss at least the first two matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. According to Code Sports, the Australian pacer is still recovering from an injury setback and will not join the franchise camp in time for the opening fixtures.
His national teammate Pat Cummins will also miss the initial stages of the tournament. Hazlewood last played competitive cricket during a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales in November 2025, which caused him to miss the entire 2025-26 Ashes series against England on home soil.
Despite making Australia's provisional squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, another injury setback ruled Josh Hazlewood out of the tournament. Cricket Australia is managing his recovery alongside Pat Cummins due to a demanding upcoming international schedule.
The national team has a packed calendar over the next 18 months, including 26 matches in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle and their upcoming ODI World Cup title defense in South Africa in late 2027.
"It’s understood Hazlewood is likely to miss at least the first two matches of the season for the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, of which he is a key pillar. That means the veteran quick won’t play until April 11 at the earliest, by which point it will have been almost five months since his most recent match," a report from Code Sports read.
Josh Hazlewood previously struggled with physical issues during the IPL 2025 season. He missed the final match before the tournament was temporarily suspended in May 2025 due to a minor shoulder niggle.
He completed his rehabilitation program in Brisbane, forcing him to miss the final two league matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He eventually rejoined the squad in time for the playoffs, participating in Qualifier 1 and the championship final to help secure the trophy.
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