Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will miss the early part of the Indian Premier League due to an Achilles problem, but he is optimistic about making a return to the tournament with the Royal Challengers Bangalore later on. Hazlewood has been plagued by a series of injuries in recent years, including side strains during the past two home Test summers. The Achilles strain he sustained during the SCG Test in January has taken an extended time to heal, and he remains at home in Sydney while consulting with Cricket Australia’s medical staff before traveling to the IPL.
Despite the allure of the T20 format and the financial rewards it brings, Hazlewood remains committed to Test cricket, saying it is his number one priority. He believes that short-term losses for long-term gains are crucial to managing his body and ensuring that he is always ready for Test cricket. Hazlewood has missed four Border-Gavaskar Tests in India and is determined to return to action through the IPL.
Another Australian player facing uncertainty ahead of the IPL is all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. He missed Australia’s final two ODIs against India earlier this month due to a leg injury and is still recovering. While he has been working hard on his strength and conditioning with RCB, his fitness for the opening game against the Mumbai Indians remains unclear. However, Australia all-rounder Cameron Green is set to make his IPL debut for the Mumbai Indians.
Hazlewood’s absence from the initial stages of the IPL will be a blow for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, for whom he took 20 wickets in 12 matches during the 2022 IPL season. However, Hazlewood’s focus on Test cricket and his long-term goals show his commitment to the sport, and his eventual return to the tournament will be eagerly awaited by RCB and his fans.
