Josh Hazlewood: Injury, RCB Release, and 2026 Future

Few bowlers command the same quiet respect as Josh Hazlewood, but the Australian paceman has spent more time on the sidelines than on the field lately, with a string of injuries keeping him out of high‑profile tournaments and putting his IPL future in doubt. Here’s what we actually know about his recovery, his release from Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and whether he’ll be bowling in IPL 2026.

Full name: Josh Reginald Hazlewood ·
Born: 8 January 1991, Tamworth, Australia ·
Bowling style: Right‑arm fast‑medium ·
IPL teams: Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Nine career‑defining numbers, one pattern: Hazlewood’s international record is exemplary, but his recent seasons have been disrupted by repeated breakdowns.

What happened to Josh Hazlewood?

Injury chain since November 2024

• Hazlewood pulled up with a hamstring strain during a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales in November 2024 (ESPNcricinfo).
• That led to an Achilles/tendon issue, then a torn calf, forcing him to miss the Ashes and the 2024 T20 World Cup (ESPNcricinfo).
• He told ESPNcricinfo that trying to rush back from those injuries made the situation worse.
• As of early 2025, he was still receiving physio care (Circle of Cricket).

Withdrawal from IPL 2021

• Hazlewood stepped away from the 2021 IPL season while playing for Chennai Super Kings, citing personal reasons (ESPNcricinfo).
• CSK allowed him to leave without penalty and released him ahead of the 2022 mega auction.
• He has not played for CSK since.

International career highlights

• Test debut: 2013 vs England.
• Key member of Australia’s 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cup‑winning squads.
• Over 290 Test wickets at an average under 27 – one of the most accurate pace bowlers in the world (ESPNcricinfo).

The implication: each rushed comeback has led to longer absences, raising questions about his long‑term durability.

Why did RCB release Josh Hazlewood?

Retention decisions ahead of IPL 2025 auction

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru did not retain Hazlewood for the 2025 season (RCB official).
• Team management cited injury concerns and budget constraints as the primary reasons (Circle of Cricket).
• Hazlewood took 25 wickets in 19 matches for RCB across two seasons (2022‑2024) (ESPNcricinfo).

Impact on RCB’s bowling attack

• RCB entered the 2025 auction without a proven overseas pace bowler, but they retained Mohammed Siraj and acquired new signings.
• Hazlewood’s unavailability for the 2025 season had been anticipated due to his ongoing injury recovery (RCB official).

The pattern: RCB opted for reliability over potential, even at the cost of losing a proven performer.

Will Josh Hazlewood play the T20 World Cup in 2026?

Current fitness status and return timeline

• Hazlewood is still in a return‑to‑play programme monitored by Cricket Australia and RCB’s medical team (Royal Challengers Bengaluru).
• RCB’s Director of Cricket Mo Bobat stated that Hazlewood would join the squad once Cricket Australia is satisfied with his recovery (Royal Challengers Bengaluru).
• The expected return window is early 2026, ideally before IPL 2026 begins on 28 March (Circle of Cricket).

Australia’s 2026 T20 World Cup plans

• Selectors consider Hazlewood a strong candidate for the 2026 T20 World Cup if fully fit (Circle of Cricket).
• His IPL 2026 performance will likely be used as a fitness test (ESPNcricinfo).
• However, Australia’s pace bowling depth – with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and emerging talents – means Hazlewood faces stiff competition.

The catch: even if he returns, Australia’s pace depth means he will have to prove he can sustain match fitness.

Who is replacing Hazlewood?

Steve Smith approved for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

• Steve Smith was officially approved as Hazlewood’s replacement for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy (Circle of Cricket).
• This move allowed Australia to maintain a strong batting line‑up while Hazlewood recovered.

IPL and international replacements

• RCB have not yet named a direct fast‑bowling replacement for IPL 2026; they may target a player in the next mega auction.
• In Test cricket, Michael Neser and others have covered Hazlewood’s absence (ESPNcricinfo).

The pattern: Hazlewood’s absence has forced both RCB and Australia to rely on stop‑gap options, highlighting the gap he leaves when fit.

Why did CSK leave Hazelwood?

Withdrawal from IPL 2021

• Hazlewood withdrew from the 2021 IPL season while with Chennai Super Kings to spend time with family in Australia (ESPNcricinfo).
• CSK allowed him to leave without penalty and later released him ahead of the 2022 mega auction.
• He has not played for CSK since that withdrawal.

The implication: the personal decision that seemed understandable at the time cost Hazlewood a long‑term relationship with a franchise that had invested in him.

Timeline of Josh Hazlewood’s career

• 8 January 1991: Born in Tamworth, New South Wales.
• December 2013: Test debut against England in Perth.
• 2021: Withdrew from IPL 2021 with CSK due to personal reasons.
• 2022: Signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for IPL.
• 2024: Last season with RCB.
• November 2024: Hamstring strain in Sheffield Shield; onset of injury chain.
• Late 2024 – early 2025: Missed Ashes, T20 World Cup, and ICC Champions Trophy.
• February 2025: Steve Smith named as his replacement for Champions Trophy.
• 2026 (projected): IPL 2026 comeback; potential T20 World Cup selection.

Quotes and perspectives

“I tried to rush back from the hamstring and it just got worse – the Achilles and calf followed.”

— Josh Hazlewood, speaking to ESPNcricinfo

“We’re liaising closely with Josh and Cricket Australia, and the medical teams are working day‑to‑day on his recovery.”

— Mo Bobat, RCB Director of Cricket, via RCB official site

“His participation in IPL 2026 remains doubtful as he awaits fitness clearance.”

— Circle of Cricket

The pattern is clear: Hazlewood’s body has not kept pace with his ambition. For RCB and Australian selectors, the decision is no longer about talent – it’s about whether his frame can withstand another full season. If he can prove fitness in IPL 2026, a T20 World Cup berth is within reach. If not, the fast bowler they once considered indispensable may find himself watching from the sidelines.

With RCB’s recent performances in mind, it’s worth noting how Josh Hazlewoods injury struggles have impacted their squad composition ahead of the 2026 season.

Frequently asked questions