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Indian batter Hanuma Vihari suggested that the Indian Premier League (IPL) champion, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), rope in the England seamer Josh Tongue for the upcoming season of the league.
Vihari asked RCB to consider the England international, as Josh Hazlewood could miss the next season of the Indian Premier League because of the Australian cricket team's tight schedule in international cricket. Josh Hazlewood remains one of RCB's frontline seamers.
Josh Hazlewood played a pivotal role in RCB's trophy-winning seasons
In both of their triumphant season, the Aussie fast bowler played a pivotal role. Hazlewood, alongside the Indian swing master Bhuvneshwar Kumar, proved effective on the ground again and again.
If Josh Hazlewood misses the next edition of the franchise league, then the defending champions will have to find a replacement who could be as effective as Josh Hazlewood. Josh Tongue so far has delivered effectively in the ongoing 5-match T20I series against India in England.
Hanuma Vihari asks Royal Challengers Bengaluru to sign Josh Tongue
Hanuma Vihari's comments came after the English pacer's brilliant spell against India in the third match of the series, where Tongue returned with a bowling figure of 4/28 in a four-over spell, dismissing Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Harshit Rana, and Shivam Dube.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the Indian batter mentioned that due to the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2027 and the Ashes against England, Josh Hazlewood may not have ample amount of time to participate in IPL 2027. So the franchise will have to look for someone who can be his proper replacement.
"RCB should definitely take this bowler in the auction next year, and that bowler is Josh Tongue. The reason being there is a slight concern regarding Josh Hazlewood's availability. There is the World Cup and Ashes next year, so his schedule will be tight, so there is a doubt whether he will be available in the IPL," he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Hanuma Vihari further explained that the pace and bowling action of Josh Tongue will be effective on Bengaluru's home ground, M Chinnaswamy.
"Josh Tongue has been bowling at 145-plus in the recent series. He has a good height and high-arm release as well. He is a hit-the-deck bowler and will perfectly suit the Chinnaswamy stadium. RCB will definitely have their eyes on Josh Tongue", he added.
Jacob Duffy did well as Josh Hazlewood's replacement
In the previous season, Josh Hazlewood joined the Bengaluru-based franchise late for the 2026 campaign. In the absence of the experienced seamer, Royal Challengers Bengaluru included New Zealand quick Jacob Duffy into their playing combination.
Duffy was impressive in his first few matches. Later, he was benched as soon as Hazlewood joined the camp. Uncapped Indian bowler Rashikh Salim Dhar from Jammu and Kashmir was surprisingly impressive with his medium pace.
In two consecutive seasons, RCB claimed the IPL title by maintaining pure dominance. The upcoming season will bring them an opportunity to claim a hat-trick of winning trophies, which none of the teams have done before in the league's history.
