IPL 2023: Big Boost for RCB, Josh Hazlewood Is Set to Return vs KKR on April 26

IPL 2023: Royal Challengers Bangalore have done a decent job in the ongoing edition so far. They are currently sitting in 5th place with four wins and two defeats in seven games. With 8 points and an NRR of -0.008, RCB is among the front-runners to finish in the top four. However, the team struggled with injuries to their key players, which dented their confidence to some extent. But with the other players performing, Bangalore is looking pretty good.

RCB won their last game against the Rajasthan Royals on Sunday with some good performances in the bowling department. They beat RR by 7 runs. Now, RCB will face Kolkata Knight Riders in their next game on Wednesday at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. They lost the last game they played against KKR by 81 runs in this season only. But ahead of that KKR game, ace pacer Josh Hazlewood is expected to make his return.

IPL 2023: Josh Hazlewood started training ahead of KKR clash on Wednesday

The Australian speedster hasn’t taken any part in any match so far. He was recovering from an Achilles tendonitis injury. But it seems that he is fully fit and is ready to go. The franchise shared a post on Twitter featuring Hazlewood with the caption, “Almost 100% Hoff is raring to start off.“

Hazlewood also missed the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy ahead of the IPL 2023. He is looking to get ready for the upcoming Ashes series after playing in the IPL. Stand-in skipper Virat Kohli also gave an update on Hazlewood’s injury after the game against RR. He said, “Hopefully, Josh comes in next game.”

With the addition of the Australian pacer, the RCB’s bowling attack is expected to be strengthened. Mohammed Siraj has done an exceptional job so far and is currently holding the “Purple Cap” with the most wickets. Siraj has taken 13 wickets in 7 games at 15.38. He will make a brilliant pair with Hazlewood in the power play.

The Australian pacer was the key bowler for RCB in the last season. He took 20 wickets in just 12 games in 2022 with a best of 4/25. Overall, he has taken 32 wickets in 24 games at an economy rate of 8.02. His inclusion will help the team to restrict the opposition batter because it is very hard for the bowlers to bowl at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.