Australia cricket workforce quick bowler Josh Hazlewood has been on the sidelines for fairly a while because of accidents and his participation in IPL 2026 will rely on whether or not he will get clearance or not, based on Hindustan Times. The veteran quick bowler was dominated out of Ashes 2025-26 and he additionally missed the T20 World Cup 2026 because of harm issues. According to the report, he stays below physio care and he’s nonetheless awaiting clearance from the center workforce earlier than becoming a member of Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the brand new season. “He is still under the physio care, and his participation in the IPL depends on whether he gets the clearance or not. There’s still plenty of time, but it’s a wait-and-watch situation for now,” a supply aware of developments confirmed to Hindustan Times.
Hazlewood joined RCB for Rs 12.5 crore within the IPL 2025 public sale and he performed a significant position in guiding them to their first ever IPL title.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will enter the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season as defending champions, aiming to win back-to-back titles, however the former India captain Anil Kumble believes that it might not be straightforward for the Rajat Patidar-led aspect.
Speaking on JioHotstar, Anil Kumble highlighted the hurdles Rajat Patidar will face because the captain of the defending champions. “It’s not going to be easy for Rajat Patidar’s RCB to win back-to-back titles. Only CSK and MI have managed to win trophies on a continuous basis before. But I think Rajat Patidar has done well as captain in his first season,” he stated.
“When he was announced as skipper, many of us were surprised because everyone expected Virat to handle the duties again. But the team management decided to go with Patidar, and it paid off. He only had experience of captaining Madhya Pradesh and did well in domestic cricket. He was identified as the skipper, and with the experience he had, he led really well. Now it will be challenging because expectations will be high. But he looks very composed and calm under pressure. That is his USP. That should work for him,” stated the legendary spinner.
RCB have purchased the all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 7 crore within the IPL mini public sale for the upcoming season. Last season, he performed for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).after being purchased for a large Rs 23.75 Crore bid within the 2025 season.
Kumble confused that Iyer might not be part of the RCB taking part in XI in the beginning of the season. On Iyer’s possibilities of that includes within the Playing XI, Kumble stated, “I don’t think Venkatesh Iyer will be part of the playing XI at the start. You would want the same starting eleven that helped you lift the trophy after 18 years. Devdutt Padikkal should play in the eleven. He missed the last few important games due to injury, but he is in outstanding form with the bat.”
“He will take that impact player role when RCB bowl first. Suyash Sharma will be the bowling impact player when RCB bat first. That is how they structured their line-up last season. Unless they look to go with an extra batter who can bowl at the start of the season, depending on how everyone is hitting in the nets and practice matches. Otherwise, I don’t see Iyer in the starting line-up. But he is a wonderful guy to have in the squad. Any time you need an experienced batter, he is there. He is a left-hander too and can switch with Padikkal if the need arises at any point in the new season,” stated Kumble.
(With company inputs)
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