Josh Hazlewood, a speedster from Australia, is expected to return to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team before the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) playoffs.
According to sources with knowledge of the situation, the star speedster, who has excelled for the Rajat Patidar-led team in the 18th edition of the IPL, is getting ready to travel to India by the end of next week and will be available for the team in the playoffs, Hindustan Times reported.
Hazlewood, managing a shoulder injury, will be a huge welcome to the RCB team and is expected to be available for the franchise for the all-important playoffs. RCB will not have Lungi Ngidi’s services as South African players need to leave IPL by May 26 for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC 2025) final.
"Josh is preparing to arrive in India by the end of last week (of May). He will be available for the franchise for the playoffs," a well-informed source confirmed to Hindustan Times.
Hazlewood, with 18 wickets in 10 matches, is third on the leading wicket-takers list in IPL 2025.
However, Delhi Capitals (DC) are not that lucky as their Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has opted out of returning for the rest of the IPL 2025.
As per the Hindustan Times, Starc has let the Delhi Capitals management know that he has no plans to return. After Jake Fraser-McGurk, Starc is the second member of the Delhi Capitals to choose not to play the rest of the competition.
"Starc has informed the DC management that he won't be coming back. The franchise has accepted his decision," a source confirmed to Hindustan Times.
The Delhi Capitals are in fifth place in the rankings with three games left. The team captained by Axar Patel has a reasonable chance of qualifying for the playoffs.
