India is going to celebrate cricket from next week, ahead of that every team has started full fledged training sessions, Virat Kohli is also gearing up in London, he has posted a trainig picture a few days ago and it went viral in a few minutes. The defending champions RCB have been able to find the right balance in the auction, just before the start of IPL Hazlewood's injury has become only a key area of concern for them. Hazlewood is yet to get a NOC from the Cricket Australia board, which is leading towards uncertainty. Over the years, Hazlewood as a T20I bowler developed himself to become captains go to bowler, his height and added variety of delivery make him lethal. If he remains unavailable in a few matches. RCB can go with other plans.
Duffy in place of Hazlewood
If not Hazlewood then Jacob Duffy is already there as a backup. Duffy has a very similar kind of run-up to Hazlewood; he is also a hit-the-deck bowler. Duffy has done really well recently, except in the World Cup. His inexperience had led him into trouble.
Also Read | 2026 is the new 2016 ? A throwback to the season that changed everything
They have also bought Nuwan Tushara who can also act as a damage controller whenever needed.
Other options
If the management and Captain Rajat Patidar are not ready to go with an extra overseas bowler, Mangesh Yadav can come to play a big role, if they go with Yash Dayal and Mangesh Yadav both then they don’t have to toss up between Jacob Bethell and Phil Salt. Also, RCB has Jordan Cox who can switch gears in seconds.
Replacements available
The management has plenty of ways to choose and handle the situation but if Hazlewood has to wait all of the season, then there are few replacements available. Jhyre Richardon, Alzaarri Joseph, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Gerald Coetzee are in the remaining pool.
Also Read | Pat Cummins injury: Who will captain Sunrisers Hyderabad? Big call looms ahead of IPL 2026
Will RCB wait and handle the situation with Duffy, it will only be clear when the Aussie cricket board give confirmation.
