RCB vs KKR: Josh Hazlewood – Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will have to do without talismanic pacer Josh Hazlewood against their clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 26 as he is yet to clearance from Cricket Australia. The Australia pacer was initially ruled out of the first half of IPL 2023 due to an Achilles injury. However, the 33-year-old hit the nets ahead of the match against KKR and is 100% ready to go. RCB shared an update on Hazlewood, and by the looks of it, the Australian pacer will play his competitive game after two months. Follow IPL 2023 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
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Almost 100% 🔥Hoff is raring to start off! 👊#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/7umuEie2tx
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 25, 2023
RCB vs KKR: Hazlewood boost for RCB, as they look to sort death bowling woes
Hazlewood’s presence in the RCB bowling is a massive boost as they look to sort out their death bowling issues. In the seven matches that RCB have played so far, their bowlers were guilty on two occasions failing to defend 200-plus scores. Hazlewood two crucial overs in the death overs should be able to solve the problem. The RCB pacer was exceptional in the last IPL season, picking up 20 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 8 runs per over.
With Mohammed Siraj in good rhythm, Hazlewood would look to form a formidable bowling combination with the Indian seamer and help RCB find some consistency during the second half of the IPL.
RCB vs KKR: Who will Hazlewood replace in the playing XI against KKR?
David Willey is likely to make way for Hazlewood. The England pacer has bowled well for RCB in the limited opportunities that he has he got. Willey has picked up three wickets in three matches for RCB at an economy rate of 6. However, with RCB unlikely to drop Faf du Plessis (Captain), Glenn Maxwell (best strike rate for RCB), and Wanindu Hasaranga (Premier spinner), Willey is the only option.
“Josh Hazlewood is still building back to his full capacity through the IPL, so hopefully he gets a few games over there in the back half of that tournament and starts to ramp up his return,” said Bailey.
Hazlewood’s fitness will be closely monitored during IPL as the right-arm pacer is a pivotal member of the Australia Test squad. With WTC Final against India and five Ashes Tests coming up against England in June and July, it is imperative the RCB pacer hits top form in IPL 2023 season.
RCB Playing XI against KKR
RCB: Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Prabhudesai, Dinesh Karthik, Wanindu Hasaranga, Josh Hazlewood, Siraj, Harshal Patel
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