Josh Hazlewood to Miss IPL 2026: RCB Faces Early Setback

Royal Challengers Bengaluru faces a major setback as Josh Hazlewood will miss the entire IPL 2026 due to an Achilles injury. This absence comes just weeks before the tournament begins, impacting RCB's chances as they prepare to defend their title. The team will kick off their season against Sunrisers Hyderabad, with Hazlewood's absence being a significant blow. Additionally, Pat Cummins is also expected to miss the start of the season. Read on to find out more about RCB's upcoming fixtures and the implications of these injuries.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 17, 2026, 21:53 IST

RCB's Challenge Ahead of IPL 2026

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is facing a significant challenge just two weeks before the commencement of their IPL 2026 season, as star bowler Josh Hazlewood will be unavailable for the entire tournament. The right-arm fast bowler has been sidelined since November 2025 due to an Achilles injury, which also kept him out of the Ashes series. Although there were hopes for his recovery in time for the Super 8 stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup, he was ultimately replaced in the squad by Steve Smith. Notably, Australia did not advance to the second round of the tournament.

Hazlewood was acquired by RCB for a substantial fee of Rs 12.50 crore during the IPL 2025 mega-auction and made a remarkable impact in his debut season, taking 22 wickets in just 12 matches.

Impact of Hazlewood's Absence on RCB

According to reports, Hazlewood will miss the first two matches of the IPL 2026 season. RCB, the defending champions, will begin their title defense against Sunrisers Hyderabad at home on March 28, followed by a high-profile match against Chennai Super Kings on April 5. His absence is expected to be a significant setback for the team.

Additionally, it has been reported that Pat Cummins will also be unavailable at the start of the season due to a back injury. The captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad has not participated in competitive cricket since December 2025. In his absence, Ishan Kishan is anticipated to take over the leadership role for SRH.

Upcoming Matches for RCB in IPL 2026

Following their match against CSK, RCB will face Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians in away games on April 10 and 12, respectively. The team will play their first two matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) received official approval on March 16 to host the matches at this venue. A meeting chaired by the Hon'ble Home Minister of Karnataka, Dr. G. Parameshwar, included the Expert Committee and representatives from KSCA, RCB, and DNA. The Expert Committee presented its report on the stadium's preparedness and compliance measures, leading to the formal approval for the IPL matches at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.