In IPL mega auction 2025, RCB bought Josh Hazelwood as a main bowler. We all know that Josh Hazelwood got injured and ruled out of the Champions trophy 2025.
It’s officially confirmed that Josh Hazelwood has been ruled out of Champions trophy 2025. There might be a chance that Josh Hazelwood might be ruled out of IPL 2025. If Josh Hazelwood ruled out, RCB has to look for replacement. The following are the main players in which RCB can take as a replacement for Josh Hazelwood. It’s better if RCB targets these players when it comes to like to like replacement and overseas bowler.
The following are the top 5 players who can replace Josh Hazelwood
1) Will O Rourke
Will O Rourke is a New Zealand bowler. We have seen how Will O Rourke performed in the India vs New Zealand test series. The impact was great and successful. He is a deck kind of bowler. His bowling is almost similar to Josh Hazelwood. With his height, deck kind of bowling, he might impact RCB. We do not know whether he is okay to play for RCB. But, playing for RCB is like a dream moment for every player.
Since the injury to Josh Hazelwood is not officially confirmed by RCB. If Josh Hazelwood officially ruled out, then RCB will think to buy these players. It’s in RCB’s hand to buy Will O Rourke or some other better player. This New Zealand player impressed a lot in the India vs New Zealand test series. RCB might look at this player because he played well on Indian ground.
2) Ottneil Baartman
Ottneil Baartman is a South African bowler. This South African player has an ability to bowl at yorker in the death overs. Recently, in the South African league he hawled 8 wickets in 8 matches. He played well in the recent SA20, hence RCB might target this player.
But, there are less chances that RCB will look into this player. Will O Rourke has been impacted by playing in India, but such things did not happen in the case of Ottneil Baartman. So, the preference will go to Will O Rourke, and Baartman will be an option.
3) Jason Behrendorft
Jason Behrendorft is an Australian cricketer and went unsold in IPL mega auction 2025. He is ex RCBian. He is one of the most experienced players. He played a total of 168 T20 matches and has taken a total of 208 wickets. If RCB looks for an experienced player then the better option will be Jason Behrendorft. When compared to Josh Hazelwood, Behrendorft is more experienced than Josh Hazelwood. If more expertise is required then RCB will look for player number 4 i.e Mustafizur Rehman.
4) Mustafizur Rehman
Mustafizur Rehman is an experienced player and player for CSK in the previous season. He has taken a total of 14 wickets in the last season, but went unsold in the IPL auction 2025. But we don’t know why he went unsold. All the stats are at an extreme level. Performed well in last season for CSK when it comes to 14 wickets in just 9 matches. He has an ability to bowl at yorker in death overs.
But we do not have a reason why he went unsold. Some team would have picked him. If RCB tries for this player as a replacement, it would be a better option. Out of all the options, Mustafizur Rehman and Will O Rourke Will be better options as these players have impacted a lot in India
5) Naveen Ul Haq
Naveen Ul Haq is an Afghanistan player and well experienced player in IPL too. In the previous season he played LSG. There were a lot of disputes between RCB players and Naveen Ul Haq
Will RCB buy Naveen Ul Haq? The answer for this cannot be defined. He is also a better bowler. He has experience and played several seasons in the IPL. Not only in IPL, he has experience in international cricket too.
He is not a young player. So, he might not be looking effective which made him unsold in IPL auction.
It’s doubt that RCB will go into this player as we all know the relationship between RCB and Naveen Ul Haq. It’s better option not to go with this player.
In case Josh Hazelwood got ruled out. Out of these five options, Mustafizur Rehman and Will O Rourke sounds more. They are experienced players and impacted a lot in international cricket. These two players are the top picks. Not only these five players are options, there are other players also for whom RCB might look into. But, Mustafizur Rehman and Will O Rourke are the top players, and it’s better if RCB chooses any of these players.