Blow for RCB as Josh Hazlewood Fly back home before the RCB vs GT Clash
In what comes as a big blow for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the team as he flies back to India. Hazlewood has suffered a relapse in the injury and is also doubtful for the WTC Final in 2023. In order to qualify for the IPL 2023 playoffs, RCB must win the match against Gujarat. On the other hand, Hazlewood’s priority is to be fit for the WTC Final.
Hazlewood missed RCB’s first eight games and only featured in three matches. He has not played any games since May 9 against the Mumbai Indians, as he was recovering from an Achilles heel injury and returned home midway through the Border Gavaskar Trophy. David Willey and Reece Topley are also not present in the RCB squad as both of them have gone back to their homes following their injuries, and now Josh Hazlewood is the new addition to the list.
RCB are in a must-win situation with the Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals lurking. With GT and CSK already qualifying for the playoffs, the race has been narrowed down to Sunday. The two games on Sunday will decide the fate of the playoffs. In the absence of a pace spearhead at a place like M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB will start on the backfoot against a dominating Gujarat Titans line-up.