Follow UsAustralian paceman Josh Hazlewood is back in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)’s playing XI for the Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mullanpur on May 29 (Thursday).
The paceman, who also happens to be RCB’s highest wicket-taker with 18 scalps in 10 games, last played in the IPL on April 27. He missed a couple of games due to a shoulder niggle. He went to Australia, trained in Brisbane, and is now ready to go.
Hazlewood comes in for Nuwan Thushara, who did extremely well in the last league game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Playing his first game for RCB, the Sri Lankan seamer registered figures of 1/26.
Rajat Patidar is also back as captain after playing two games as an Impact Player because of a finger injury. The RCB captain won the toss and decided to bowl first against PBKS.
Meanwhile, PBKS have replaced Marco Jansen with Azmatullah Omarzai. The South African has left to prepare for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia.