IPL 2025: Josh Hazlewood, Jacob Bethell not fully fit? Fresh fitness updates arrive on RCB stars

The IPL 2025 is all set to begin on March 22 with KKR facing RCB in the tournament opener at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. However, there have been a few injury concerns in the RCB camp in the form of Josh Hazlewood and Jacob Bethell.

Both Hazlewood and Bethell are returning from injuries and it will be interesting to see how they perform on their return. While Josh Hazlewood suffered a calf strain, Jacob Bethell was hit with a hamstring injury.

With the IPL 2025 about to start, the RCB team management will be wary of including them in the Playing XI. As a result, both of them went through some fitness tests ahead of the team's tournament opener against Kolkata Knight Riders.

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Josh Hazlewood and Jacob Bethell go through fitness tests

According to Cricbuzz, both Josh Hazlewood and Jacob Bethell went through fitness tests which were conducted by the team's strength and conditioning coach Shanker Basu. Both the players are coming off injuries and RCB team management is cautious before giving them a chance in the Playing XI.

RCB Injury Updates from the practice session!@prat1204 reports from the Eden Gardens#KKRvRCB #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/RGqQmBSozS

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 20, 2025

Josh Hazlewood bowled a few overs and although he didn't bowl for too long, he looked alright in his bowling run-up and follow-through. The fast bowler seemed to be in good rhythm and bowled at full tilt.

Hazlewood is the most experienced bowler in RCB's line-up and will be key to his team's chances. The Australian had earlier missed the Champions Trophy due to his injury but is expected to make a return in the IPL, where he will be his team's lead fast bowler.

RCB signed Hazlewood for INR 12.50 crore in the mega auction. Lungi Ngidi and Nuwan Thushara are the other two overseas quicks in the squad. Yash Dayal and Rasikh Salam are the two Indian pace options who are quite capable in this format.

Jacob Bethell ahead of Tim David?

On the other hand, Jacob Bethell practiced his left-arm spin in the nets, which can play a key part whenever he gets a chance in the Playing XI. In terms of batting, Bethell batted more than Tim David, which suggests that he might get a nod ahead of the Australian.

Tim David played for Mumbai Indians last season but was signed by RCB in a bidding war with MI in the mega auction. However, Bethell provides the team with some crucial overs of left-arm spin, which might go in his favor.

The talented left-hander had missed England's Champions Trophy campaign earlier due to injury but will be eager to make a return to professional cricket. It will be his first IPL season after he was signed for INR 2.60 crore in the auction.

RCB to play IPL 2025 opener

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play the IPL 2025 opener against the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders on March 22. The match will take place at KKR's home ground, Eden Gardens.

RCB will be aiming to start their campaign on a high. They reached the playoffs in a dramatic fashion last year but lost the eliminator. They will face a tough challenge against mighty KKR who are well equipped for the home conditions.