Will Josh Hazlewood Play Today Vs CSK? Latest Update On RCB Pacer In IPL 2026

Will Josh Hazlewood play today vs CSK? That is the question dominating the build-up to Sunday’s RCB vs CSK clash at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Australian fast bowler, who has been sidelined since November 2025 with hamstring and Achilles injuries, was spotted bowling in the nets at Chinnaswamy on Saturday — and he looked close to full fitness.

Hazlewood missed RCB’s IPL 2026 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad last week, with head coach Andy Flower confirming before that match that he was not ready. But the picture has shifted significantly over the past 48 hours, and the Hazlewood injury update is now far more encouraging.

(updated ahead of RCB vs CSK toss on April 5, 2026)

Will Josh Hazlewood Play Today? What The Net Session Revealed

So will Hazlewood play today against Chennai Super Kings? The signs were increasingly positive leading up, but nothing has been confirmed.

6:30 PM IST (30 minutes before toss): Jacob Duffy spotted marking his run-up, which likely means Hazlewood won’t play.

6:45 PM IST (15 minutes before toss): Josh Hazlewood doing some light warm ups at Chinnaswamy. Unlikely to make RCB playing XI today.

Earlier, according to RevSportz, Hazlewood put in a substantial net session at the Chinnaswamy on Saturday. He started tentatively with a short run-up, gradually stepped up the pace, and eventually completed his full run-up, bowling for close to an hour. He initially focused on fuller and good-length deliveries before testing himself with those trademark back-of-a-length balls that made him so effective in RCB’s title-winning IPL 2025 campaign.

Separate footage on social media showed Hazlewood bowling to Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli in the nets, appearing comfortable and smooth in his action. From a distance, he looked match-ready.

However, RCB have not released any official update on his availability for the RCB vs CSK match. Jitesh Sharma, when asked about Hazlewood ahead of the game, offered a diplomatic response: “Management will give you the right answer on Josh Hazlewood.”

The franchise’s silence is notable. RCB have not posted any clips of Hazlewood in practice — unlike KKR, who have been publicly sharing footage of Cameron Green bowling in nets. This has led some observers to speculate that while Hazlewood is progressing well, the management may still be cautious about rushing him back for a league-stage game.

Hazlewood Injury Update: What Has He Been Recovering From?

The Hazlewood injury update traces back to late 2025. The 35-year-old last played competitive cricket for Australia in October 2025. He missed the Ashes 2025-26 series and was unavailable for the T20 World Cup 2026 in February-March, both due to a combination of hamstring and Achilles tendon issues.

When will Josh Hazlewood return? Reports suggest RCB are seriously considering his inclusion for tonight’s Southern Derby. If he clears the final fitness checks without any setbacks, there is a genuine possibility he features against CSK. If not tonight, his first IPL 2026 match could come against Rajasthan Royals on April 10 in Guwahati.

Why Hazlewood’s Return Matters For RCB vs CSK

Hazlewood was RCB’s most impactful bowler during their maiden IPL 2025 title run. He picked up 22 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 17.55 and an economy of 8.77, including a four-wicket haul. He finished as the team’s highest wicket-taker and third overall on the Purple Cap list.

In his absence, New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy stepped in impressively on IPL debut against SRH — taking 3/22 in the powerplay to win Player of the Match. But RCB’s bowling still had gaps: Romario Shepherd conceded 54 runs in his four overs, and the spin duo of Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma managed only five overs between them. Against a CSK batting line-up desperate to make a statement after two consecutive defeats, having Hazlewood available would be a significant upgrade.

Across 39 IPL matches in his career, Hazlewood has taken 57 wickets at an average of 20.98 with an economy of 8.28. His best figures are 4/25.

Who Could Hazlewood Replace In The RCB Playing XI?

If will Hazlewood play today is answered in the affirmative, the most likely change would be Duffy making way, given both are overseas seamers filling the same role. However, given Duffy’s outstanding debut, RCB could also consider dropping one of their overseas batters to accommodate both.

The RCB IPL 2026 squad has four overseas slots to manage — Phil Salt, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, and Duffy occupied them in the opener. Fitting Hazlewood in means one of these four would have to sit out.

RCB vs CSK: Match Context

Sunday’s RCB vs CSK fixture is the only meeting between the two southern rivals in the league stage this season, which adds extra weight to the occasion. RCB sit in the top half of the table after their opening-night win, while CSK are bottom after losing both their first two matches — against Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings.

For CSK, there may be a boost of their own — Dewald Brevis, who missed the first two games with a side strain, could return. But MS Dhoni remains unavailable with a calf injury.

Whether Hazlewood takes the field tonight or not, RCB fans can take heart from the fact that his return is imminent. The question is no longer if, but when — and the answer could be as soon as 7:30 PM IST on Sunday.

Check the latest RCB IPL 2026 tickets and booking updates if you are heading to Chinnaswamy tonight.

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