The question stands whether Hazlewood will feature against LSG.
Josh Hazlewood has returned to India and joined the RCB camp ahead of the team’s final league stage fixture against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Lucknow. But will Josh Hazlewood play today? If he does, it will be a big boost for the RCB team, which suffered a setback against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their previous game.
However, the question stands whether Hazlewood will feature against LSG or come into the XI in the playoffs straightaway. Ideally, he should play this game and test his match fitness since he is coming from a shoulder injury.
This will help him get into the groove and have match time before the all-important playoffs. Further, RCB must win this contest to finish in the top two and play Qualifier 1, a big advantage in the next stage. They are currently standing third on the points table with 17 points, and one more win will take them to the top two and help them to Qualifier 1 where Punjab Kings await them.
ALSO READ:
RCB’s bowling attack will bolster significantly if Hazlewood plays, increasing their chances of winning the fixture against a depleted LSG side. He is RCB’s leading wicket-taker this season, with 18 wickets at 17.28 runs apiece in ten innings, including a four-wicket haul.
Lungi Ngidi has left the RCB camp to return to South Africa and prepare for the World Test Championship (WTC) final 2025. He came in the XI in the absence of Hazlewood, who last played on April 27 before returning to Australia due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
Now that Ngidi is absent, Josh Hazlewood must return to the XI and fill that overseas pacer slot. If Hazlewood doesn’t play, RCB will be forced to rely on inexperienced pacers, reducing their chances of winning this crucial match.
Hence, Hazlewood must play to keep the quality of the attack intact and help RCB win this all-important fixture. He is an all-phase bowler who bowls across phases and takes big wickets in almost every contest.
Other RCB pacers have blown hot and cold, and their issues will exacerbate on a nice batting surface in Lucknow. Hazlewood will at least give four quality overs, unlike a new player, who is bound to concede plenty against a powerful LSG batting lineup.
Check Best 100 Rs Signup Bonus Betting Sites in India
Have RCB qualified for the IPL 2025 playoffs? Yes, but the challenge is to ensure they play the Qualifier 1, which will earn them a second chance in the playoffs. Punjab Kings earned it last night by beating Mumbai Indians in an important game to book a top two spot.
If RCB lose today, they will face Mumbai Indians in a knockout fixture or the Eliminator. Instead, if they manage to win this crucial game, they will take on Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1. Even if they lose that game, RCB will have a second chance against the winner of the eliminator.
Will Josh Hazlewood play today in the LSG vs RCB IPL 2025 match? We will have to wait until toss time, but RCB will hope that with Hazlewood returning, they can beat LSG and make the top two in the final league game of IPL 2025 today.
For more updates, follow CricXtasy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Telegram, and YouTube.