RCB Face Uncertainty As Josh Hazlewood And Rajat Patidar Remain Doubtful For IPL 2025 Return

As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) deliberates the resumption of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 after its abrupt suspension due to the escalating India-Pakistan border tensions, several franchises are re-evaluating their strategies. For Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the timing couldn’t have been worse. What was shaping up to be one of their most promising seasons in years has now taken an unsettling turn, with injuries to two of their most pivotal players — Josh Hazlewood and Rajat Patidar — threatening to derail their playoff campaign.

While most franchises are dealing with logistical and player availability challenges, RCB’s woes are compounded by the unavailability of core players who were instrumental in their run to the top four. The potential long-term absence of Hazlewood, coupled with captain Patidar’s injury-induced uncertainty, has left fans and management holding their breath.

Hazlewood’s Stellar Season Meets an Untimely Halt

Australian pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood has arguably been RCB’s MVP this season. With 18 wickets in just 10 matches, he was one of the leading contenders for the Purple Cap, consistently dismantling opposition top-orders with his trademark discipline and seam movement. His economy and ability to strike at crucial intervals were central to RCB’s bowling success.

However, just when RCB seemed to be building unstoppable momentum, the towering pacer suffered a shoulder niggle that forced him to miss the crucial clash against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 3. Initially seen as a minor setback, the concern grew deeper as medical scans revealed lingering inflammation. Hazlewood was already doubtful for subsequent fixtures before the IPL was officially put on hold.

The Bigger Picture: WTC Final Looms Large

What complicates matters further is Hazlewood’s standing in Australia’s Test setup. With the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final scheduled for June, the Cricket Australia (CA) management is not willing to take any risks with their seasoned fast bowler. The Australian board has already lined up a pre-WTC conditioning camp in England to help players adapt to English conditions, and Hazlewood is a lock-in for the final XI.

Given this context, both Hazlewood and CA are reportedly in sync about skipping the remainder of the IPL, regardless of its resumption schedule. The logic is clear: aggravating a shoulder injury could jeopardize not only his WTC final appearance but also his future in red-ball cricket.

RCB’s Big Blow in Numbers

Hazlewood’s absence is more than just a missing name on the team sheet. In a bowling unit that has often struggled to find consistency, Hazlewood was the anchor. His stats this season underline his importance:

Matches: 10
Wickets: 18
Economy Rate: 7.21
Strike Rate: 14.7

With his exit, RCB will be forced to depend on relatively inexperienced or out-of-form options, like Reece Topley or Mohammed Siraj, neither of whom have matched Hazlewood’s impact this season.

Captain Under a Cloud: Rajat Patidar Battles Time and Injury

If Hazlewood’s exit threatens to unbalance RCB’s bowling attack, the uncertainty surrounding Rajat Patidar is no less concerning. Elevated to captaincy earlier this season, Patidar’s leadership had been met with cautious optimism. He impressed both with the bat and in the field, forming a solid backbone in the middle order and tactically guiding the team to several key wins.

But fate had other plans.

In the very same clash against CSK on May 3, Patidar sustained a finger injury while attempting a sharp catch in the slips. Initial medical evaluations diagnosed a minor fracture, and he was immediately put in a splint, with strict advice to avoid any cricketing activity for at least 10 days. Had the IPL continued uninterrupted, Patidar would have certainly missed two or more matches at a crucial juncture of the league.

The Silver Lining: A Pause That Heals

The temporary suspension of the IPL has, ironically, played in Patidar’s favor. With a week or more of recovery time available, there’s renewed hope in the RCB camp that the skipper might return sooner than initially feared, possibly without missing another match if the league resumes within the next fortnight.

RCB’s Conservative Approach

That said, RCB is unlikely to rush Patidar back into action. The India A tour of England, scheduled for later this year, is another important milestone in Patidar’s career, and management is reportedly coordinating with the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and BCCI medical team to ensure his long-term fitness isn’t compromised.

Sources from the RCB camp indicate that while Patidar is keen to return, the final decision will rest with the medical team’s clearance.

Leadership Shuffle: Jitesh Sharma Steps In

In the interim, the leadership duties have fallen upon wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. Known for his aggressive batting and cool-headed approach, Sharma has stepped up admirably in Patidar’s absence. However, thrusting a new leader into the spotlight during the high-pressure final stretch of the league is far from ideal.

RCB’s season has already been plagued by a string of fitness issues, with Devdutt Padikkal missing multiple matches due to a hamstring injury, and Phil Salt recovering from a viral infection. The team’s balance has been severely tested, forcing frequent reshuffles in both the top and middle order.

Despite this, the side currently holds a playoff spot, and much of that is owed to early season performances and Hazlewood’s wicket-taking dominance.

The Australian Exodus: A Broader Trend

RCB isn’t alone in facing the fallout of player withdrawals. With the WTC final approaching, several top Australian stars are pulling out of the IPL:

Pat Cummins (SRH) – Likely to skip the remainder of the season to lead Australia’s Test side.
Travis Head (SRH) – A crucial middle-order option for the WTC final, also expected to leave IPL early.
Marnus Labuschagne (KKR) – Though not an IPL regular, his presence is critical for the Australian red-ball setup.

This trend signals a growing challenge for IPL franchises — balancing the availability of international stars with global cricketing priorities.

What’s Next for RCB?

The coming days will be crucial for RCB as the franchise awaits clarity from the BCCI regarding the league’s resumption. Key focus areas include:

1. Finding a Replacement for Hazlewood

RCB might look at local talent or even explore international replacements, depending on the revised rules post-suspension. However, replacing Hazlewood’s consistency and experience mid-season is a near-impossible task.

2. Monitoring Patidar’s Recovery

All eyes will be on Patidar’s fitness updates. A timely return could stabilize the middle order and restore strategic depth. Without him, the leadership gap and batting frailty become far more pronounced.

3. Tactical Realignments

With both bowling and leadership compromised, RCB might have to experiment with players like Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Maxwell (if fit), or even promote Dinesh Karthik to a leadership role, should Jitesh Sharma falter.

Fan Sentiment: Hope Meets Anxiety

Among the fanbase, the mood is mixed. There’s palpable excitement over the team’s performance so far — a rare season where RCB looked like genuine title contenders. But the growing injury list and potential exit of international stars have reignited old fears of a late-season collapse.

Social media has been abuzz with speculation:

“If Hazlewood is gone, there goes our powerplay!” tweeted one concerned fan.
“Trusting Jitesh in this pressure? Bold but risky move,” commented another.

The wait for official confirmation from the BCCI regarding the IPL’s restart is amplifying the tension.

An Unscripted Twist in RCB’s Redemption Saga

RCB’s 2025 season was finally shaping up to be the fairytale fans had long awaited — balanced performances, strong leadership, and momentum. But the mid-season derailment caused by geopolitical unrest and injury setbacks has forced the team into uncharted territory.

With Hazlewood all but out, and Patidar racing against time, the franchise’s fate may now depend on how swiftly they adapt to the chaos. Can they rally behind interim skipper Jitesh Sharma? Will a dark horse emerge to lead the charge in Hazlewood’s absence? Or will the old ghosts of collapse return to haunt them once more?

In the uncertain landscape of IPL 2025, one thing is clear: the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are once again fighting not just for victory, but for survival.

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