Australia fast bowler returns to RCB after recovering from shoulder niggle
Mumbai, May 25: Royal Challengers Bengaluru have received a significant boost ahead of the Indian Premier League playoffs with Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood rejoining the side just two days before their final league match on Tuesday. Hazlewood had briefly returned home during the one-week break caused by the suspension of the IPL due to the India-Pakistan military conflict and was also nursing a shoulder niggle, from which the right-arm pacer has now fully recovered.
"It's obviously great to be back. A couple of weeks at home, (I) made the most of the last (as I) went up to Brisbane and bowled quite a few overs. Everything has been good. Hopefully to get the ball rolling again and, yeah, look forward to tomorrow and start the practice," Hazlewood said in a video posted by RCB on Sunday.
The 34-year-old was training in Brisbane as part of Australia's preparations for the World Test Championship final against South Africa next month and was under the supervision of Cricket Australia's medical team. The RCB camp closely monitored Hazlewood's progress. He has been RCB's standout bowler in this IPL season with 18 wickets in 10 matches, currently ranking as the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the competition.
Already secured a spot in the playoffs, RCB will face Lucknow Super Giants in their final IPL league match on Tuesday. Depending on other results for a top-two finish after a recent loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, RCB will need a narrow win for PBKS over Mumbai Indians to stay ahead. However, in case of a defeat to LSG, the Rajat Patidar-led side will have to go through the Eliminator again.
