The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season was a rollercoaster of emotions for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans, with the team finally clinching their maiden IPL title. A significant factor in their success was the return of Australian pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood, whose availability for the latter stages of the tournament was initially uncertain due to a shoulder injury and looming international commitments. RCB’s ability to secure Hazlewood’s return after the IPL’s mid-season suspension was a masterstroke, credited largely to the franchise’s medical team and their seamless coordination with Cricket Australia (CA). This article delves into the intricate details of how RCB managed to bring back their star bowler, the challenges they faced, and the impact of his return on their triumphant campaign.
The Context: IPL 2025 Suspension and Hazlewood’s Injury
The IPL 2025 season was disrupted on May 9 due to escalating geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, leading to a week-long suspension. This unexpected break saw overseas players, including Hazlewood, return to their home countries. For RCB, this posed a significant challenge, as Hazlewood had been their leading wicket-taker, with 18 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 17.27 before the suspension. However, a shoulder niggle sustained just before the break had forced him to miss RCB’s last group-stage match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), raising concerns about his availability for the remainder of the tournament.
Hazlewood’s injury was not just a concern for RCB but also for Cricket Australia, which was preparing for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa, scheduled to begin on June 11, 2025. With only eight days between the IPL final (June 3) and the WTC final, CA was understandably cautious about risking one of their premier fast bowlers. The possibility of resting Hazlewood to ensure his fitness for the WTC final loomed large, creating a complex situation for RCB’s management.
The Challenge: Balancing Club and Country
The tug-of-war between franchise cricket and international commitments is a recurring theme in modern cricket, and Hazlewood’s case epitomized this conflict. RCB had invested heavily in Hazlewood, acquiring him for INR 12.50 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction, recognizing his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations, particularly in the death overs. His absence could have derailed RCB’s campaign, especially as they were on the cusp of securing a playoff spot with 16 points and three group-stage matches remaining.
Cricket Australia, on the other hand, prioritized Hazlewood’s long-term fitness. The pacer had a history of injury setbacks, including a calf strain during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and a side injury that sidelined him during Australia’s home summer. With the WTC final being a marquee event, CA was inclined to err on the side of caution, potentially resting Hazlewood to prepare him for Test cricket. As RCB’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, noted, “It wasn’t just the [India-Pakistan] conflict. We were mindful that he might go back to Australia, he might rest his shoulder for a bit. Cricket Australia might go, ‘OK, let’s now get him ready for the Test Championship Final.’”
The Strategy: RCB’s Medical Team Steps Up
The key to convincing Cricket Australia lay in the meticulous coordination between RCB’s medical team and their counterparts at CA. According to Bobat, the medical staff maintained regular communication throughout the season, fostering a relationship built on trust and transparency. This collaboration was critical in navigating the complexities of Hazlewood’s shoulder injury and ensuring his safe return to the IPL.
RCB’s medical team provided detailed updates on Hazlewood’s rehabilitation progress, reassuring CA that the bowler was being managed with utmost care. By aligning their recovery protocols with CA’s expectations, RCB demonstrated that Hazlewood could return to competitive cricket without jeopardizing his preparation for the WTC final. “Our medical team did an excellent job liaising with Cricket Australia’s medical team, and they were speaking anyway through the season on a regular basis,” Bobat told Cricbuzz. This synergy was pivotal in convincing CA that Hazlewood could resume playing in the IPL without risking long-term damage.
Rehabilitation and Return: Hazlewood’s Journey Back
After the IPL suspension, Hazlewood returned to Australia for rehabilitation at Brisbane’s Centre of Excellence. His recovery included intensive net sessions, with one particularly notable session against young batter Sam Konstas gaining attention on social media. These sessions were closely monitored by CA’s medical staff, who worked in tandem with RCB to assess Hazlewood’s progress. By May 21, reports emerged that Hazlewood was likely to return to India before the IPL playoffs, with Hindustan Times suggesting he could join RCB by May 25.
Hazlewood’s return was confirmed as he arrived in India for the resumed IPL season. His first match back was on May 29 against Punjab Kings (PBKS), where he made an immediate impact, picking up crucial wickets in a high-stakes encounter. His return bolstered RCB’s bowling attack, which had relied heavily on Yash Dayal and Lungi Ngidi in his absence. Hazlewood’s ability to bowl precise yorkers and maintain control in the death overs proved invaluable, particularly in the IPL 2025 final, where he claimed four wickets to help RCB secure their first-ever title.
The Impact: Hazlewood’s Role in RCB’s Triumph
Hazlewood’s contribution to RCB’s IPL 2025 campaign cannot be overstated. Finishing the season with 22 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 17.54 and an economy rate of 8.77, he was the team’s leading wicket-taker and a cornerstone of their bowling unit. His performances in the playoffs, particularly in the final, underscored his value to the team. RCB’s victory over PBKS in the final was a testament to their balanced squad, with Hazlewood’s disciplined bowling complementing the explosive batting of Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar.
Beyond statistics, Hazlewood’s return had a psychological impact on the team. His presence instilled confidence in the bowling unit, allowing RCB to execute their strategies with precision. The fact that RCB managed to navigate the uncertainty surrounding his availability while maintaining their momentum speaks volumes about the franchise’s planning and execution.
The Bigger Picture: Managing Player Workload in T20 Leagues
Hazlewood’s case highlights the broader challenges of managing player workload in the high-stakes world of T20 franchise cricket. With international calendars becoming increasingly congested, conflicts between club and country are inevitable. RCB’s success in securing Hazlewood’s return sets a precedent for how franchises can work collaboratively with national boards to prioritize player welfare while meeting competitive demands.
The IPL’s growing influence also means that franchises like RCB wield significant resources to invest in medical and support staff capable of managing such situations. The coordination between RCB and CA exemplifies how data-driven rehabilitation, transparent communication, and mutual respect can resolve potential conflicts. This model could serve as a blueprint for other franchises facing similar challenges, particularly as T20 leagues continue to proliferate globally.
Potential Replacements and Contingency Planning
While RCB successfully brought Hazlewood back, they were prepared for the possibility that he might not return. The franchise had identified potential replacements, including South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi and Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thusara. Ngidi, already part of RCB’s squad, stepped up in Hazlewood’s absence, delivering standout performances such as a three-wicket haul against CSK. Thusara, known for his slingy action and death-over expertise, was considered a viable option to complement RCB’s pace attack.
Other potential replacements included Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman and England’s Gus Atkinson, both of whom offered unique skills to fill the void left by Hazlewood. These contingency plans underscored RCB’s proactive approach, ensuring they were not overly reliant on a single player, even one as crucial as Hazlewood.
Criticism and Controversy: Prioritizing IPL Over WTC?
Hazlewood’s decision to return to the IPL drew some criticism, with accusations that he was prioritizing franchise cricket over the WTC final. The tight timeline between the IPL final and the WTC final (June 3 to June 11) raised concerns about his ability to transition from T20 to Test cricket. However, Hazlewood’s performances in the WTC final, where he played a key role for Australia, silenced critics and demonstrated his professionalism in managing his commitments.
RCB’s success in convincing Cricket Australia to allow Josh Hazlewood’s return for IPL 2025 was a triumph of diplomacy, medical expertise, and strategic planning. By fostering open communication and aligning their rehabilitation efforts with CA’s priorities, RCB ensured that their star bowler could return to lead their bowling attack to glory. Hazlewood’s 22 wickets and pivotal role in the IPL final were a fitting reward for the franchise’s efforts. As T20 cricket continues to evolve, RCB’s handling of this situation offers valuable lessons in balancing the demands of franchise and international cricket, ensuring that players like Hazlewood can shine on both stages without compromising their health or performance.
