Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood will be available for the upcoming IPL 2024 from the month of May. The right-arm pacer is expecting a baby in March 2024. As a result, Hazlewood will not be available at the start of the tournament next year. The tall lanky pacer was a part of the RCB squad in the previous IPL edition but was released by the Red Army ahead of the IPL 2024 Auction.
Earlier, RCB’s newly-appointed head coach Andy Flower confirmed the same. “Hazlewood has a baby on the way at the end of March of next year. So Josh won’t be with us, certainly not for the first half of the season,” said Flower.
RCB purchased Josh Hazelwood for INR 7.75 crore and he played 12 matches for the Red Army in IPL 15. Hazlewood was a regular member in the RCB playing XI as he showcased his skills by scalping 20 wickets at an average of 18.85.
Just when he was ready to do it all again for his side, the Aussie pacer got injured and missed the first part of the 2023 season. He played just three matches for RCB in IPL 16 and picked up three wickets at an average of 25.33.
Hazlewood has played 27 IPL matches
Speaking about Hazlewood’s overall numbers in IPL, the 32-year-old has played 27 matches with 35 wickets to his name. He bowls at an economy rate of 8.06 which is quite good considering the fact that he bowls in both field restrictions and the death overs.
As stated above, Josh Hazlewood is expected to be available in IPL 2024 from the month of May. He will also feature in the upcoming IPL 2024 Auction on Tuesday (December 19) in Dubai.