Josh Hazlewood Defends IPL Participation Amid Criticism from Mitchell Johnson

Hazlewood Responds to Johnson's Critique

Josh Hazlewood, Australia's leading fast bowler, has addressed the backlash from former teammate Mitchell Johnson, who questioned Hazlewood's commitment following Australia's significant loss in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa.

Johnson criticized Hazlewood for participating in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which concluded just days before the WTC Final. Hazlewood managed to secure only two wickets during the IPL, leading Johnson to suggest that he prioritized franchise cricket over his national duties.

Mitchell Johnson's Concerns

In his remarks published in a local media outlet, Johnson expressed, "Concerns about Hazlewood's fitness have been noted in recent years, and his choice to focus on the delayed IPL instead of preparing for the national team raised some eyebrows."

Hazlewood's Justification

Hazlewood defended his IPL involvement, asserting that it served as valuable match practice ahead of the crucial WTC clash. Speaking before the upcoming Test series against the West Indies, he emphasized that participating in the IPL kept him sharp and ready.

Responding to Johnson's comments, Hazlewood stated, "I haven't really seen any of that. We understand what happens within our team. It was clearly the best option to prepare for the upcoming cricket. The weather was also a consideration. Competing in such intense matches is difficult to replicate in training," he explained.

He further elaborated on the challenges he faced in Sydney due to rain, stating, "I had no opportunity to bowl there. When I arrived in Brisbane, the conditions were still wet. I believed that playing in India was the best choice, especially since we were still in the competition and I would be there for ten days."