Overview
- RCB have not received the required sign-off for Josh Hazlewood to join the squad, with a source describing the situation as wait-and-watch.
- His availability for the March 28 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad at M Chinnaswamy Stadium is considered doubtful.
- Hazlewood has been sidelined since November 2025 with hamstring, Achilles and calf issues, which kept him out of the Ashes and the T20 World Cup.
- Royal Challengers are weighing overseas pace options such as Nuwan Thushara and Jacob Duffy should he be unavailable.
- Sunrisers captain Pat Cummins is also being monitored by physios and awaits clearance ahead of the season.