Update number 1 : Josh Hazelwood is set to join RCB for the playoffs.
Since there was a big rumour spreading recently that Naveen Ul Haq an Afghan player is likely to replace Josh Hazelwood for RCB in the remainder of IPL 2025, but now the scene is totally reversed. As a breaking update, Josh Hazelwood is now all set to return to India for a reminder of IPL 2025. It is good news for all the RCBians.
Though Josh Hazelwood is concerned with shoulder injury, he will be playing the rest of the matches in IPL 2025. No reports about the number of matches that he will be playing.
Due to the war between India and Pakistan. Josh Hazelwood travelled to Australia, soon he will be returning to India amidst injury concerns.
Will RCB look for a temporary replacement for Josh Hazelwood?
There are a lot of confusions that Lungi Ngidi, Romario Sheferd will be playing the IPL playoffs. Regarding Josh Hazelwood, it’s a positivity for RCB. RCB no need to look for a temporary replacement. Now no trouble for RCB. If both Josh Hazelwood and Lungi Ngidi ruled out from from reminder of the matches. Nuwan Tushara will be the option.
Though Nuwan Tushara available, RCB has to look for temporary replacement. Because Josh Hazelwood was injured, Lungi Ngidi and Romario Sheferd were travelling due to national duties.
If all the main players are not available, RCB has to announce a temporary replacement. RCB has to look for unsold overseas players who went unsold in IPL mega auction 2025. It was Naveen Ul Haq for whom the scenes were created for temporary replacement.
Will RCB pick Naveen Ul Haq as a temporary replacement for Josh Hazelwood?
No such scenes were created as RCB will not announce any temporary replacement. In case of any injuries to the main players like Nuwan Tushara, Josh Hazelwood or Lungi Ngidi, then RCB will be announcing temporary replacement. Now Josh Hazelwood is perfectly all right to return to RCB. No any talks regarding replacement. Now Josh Hazelwood is set to return RCB. No temporary replacement will be announced by RCB.
Josh Hazelwood is not yet returned to India. He may or may not be playing on May 17 th i.e RCB vs KKR. But sure he will be playing playoffs. Hopefully we expect Josh Hazelwood to play on May 17 against KKR in home ground Bangalore.
Will Lungi Ngidi play the playoffs? Will BCCI make South African players play the rest of the IPL?
BCCI has already held meetings with the South African Cricket Board to allow players to remain in India till June 3. It will be a huge loss to the franchises if all the overseas players will not return to India for remaining IPL matches. BCCI requested South African Cricket board to allow their players to play resumed IPL 2025
There will be a gap of 1 week to practise for the upcoming leagues. From 4th June onwards, there will be a gap of 1 week for the players to practise for their national duties. BCCI requested, but no reports about the decision taken by the South African Cricket board. According to the reports all the South African cricketers must return before May 26.
BCCI convincing South African Cricket Board. There is a huge impact on all the South African players. No official updates and no temporary replacements have been announced by the franchises in place of South African cricketers. In case of any harsh updates, franchises will look for replacements. The positivity for RCB is that Josh Hazelwood is returning to RCB for the rest of the matches.
Update number 2: All RCB overseas players are in for playoffs. Good news for RCBians.
RCB management has given an official update regarding RCB’s overseas players. The update is about the overseas players who have already reached Bangalore and the overseas players are yet to return to Banglore. The sure update is that all overseas will be available for the playoffs except Lungi Ngidi who is doubtful due to national duties.
What was the scene behind the overseas players?
RCB fans were worried about overseas players. Most of the overseas players have gone to their home countries due to the Indo- Pak war. A few of them went to Dubai and a few of them went to their home countries. There were a lot of confusions about their availability for the rest of the IPL.
So now RCB has given an official update that all the main players who are eligible to play in playing 11 are now returned to Bangalore.
1) All the 3 English cricketers i.e.Phil Salt, Jacob Bethel, Liam Livingstone stepped foot in home ground Bangalore. No worries about these three players. Liam Livingstone who will not be playing in playing 11, and no worries in remaining in their home country. But he is 100% sure that he will be available till the end.
2) Tim David
All the RCBians knew that he would be available till the end of IPL 2025. No worries about this player who is a crucial part in batting line up.
3) Romario Sheferd
It was a question that Romario Sheferd will be playing in the playoffs because of national duties. His name has been announced in the West Indies series. Now Romario Sheferd has landed in Banglore. Still it’s a question about his availability for play-offs.
4) Lungi Ngidi
He is with the team. He hasn’t gone to their home country despite the Indo- Pak war. He was also involved in the practice sessions. Since South Africa wants their players to return to their country after May 26th. He might not be available for the playoffs.
5) Josh Hazelwood
Now Josh Hazelwood has left Australia. He will be joining RCB soon for the remaining matches. All the RCBians should be thankful to the Australian Cricket Board for allowing Josh Hazelwood to play of RCB in crucial time. Josh Hazelwood is one of the main biggest strength to RCB.
Lungi Ngidi is doubtful for the playoffs. Josh Hazelwood is a positivity that he might be available for the playoffs. If both the players are not available, then RCB will look for replacements.
It is best to try out Nuwan Tushara. If both Josh Hazelwood and Lungi Ngidi are missing for the playoffs then Nuwan Tushara will be the option including replacement.
RCB should give chance to the players who will be playing till the finals. No use of giving a chance to the player who will not be available in playoffs.