Jitesh Sharma provides update on Josh Hazlewood, drops no-nonsense verdict on Impact Player rule

Amid the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) keeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has dropped a major update on Josh Hazlewood, who is yet to play his first IPL 2026 match for the team.

It was previously reported that Josh Hazlewood is expected to miss the early part of the tournament as he has yet to recover full fitness. Proving the reports on point, the Aussie pacer missed the season opener when RCB squared off with the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

When will Josh Hazlewood play for RCB in IPL

2026?

Later, it was learnt that Josh Hazlewood has been doing well in the net seasons. According to a RevSportz report, the star pacer delivered some smooth deliveries at the side net.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

“Despite Hazlewood being the centre of attraction, he wasn’t immediately visible practising at the centre net. Yours truly wondered: he must be somewhere around. Eventually, within a few minutes, a tall, fast bowler was seen delivering a few balls at the side net."

"The fluid, long strides, the rhythmic approach, and the tall frame – everything pointed to Hazlewood, although the veteran pace bowler was operating from just a few paces. At that moment, a thought flashed: perhaps he wasn’t going to bowl from his full run-up that day,” the report claims.

"On Saturday, on social media platforms, there were various claims regarding the possible future of Josh Hazlewood. It is believed that he has a thin chance of featuring against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). If not against the CSK, then his first IPL 2026 match could be against the Rajasthan Royals on April 10.

Jitesh Sharma provides an update on the Aussie bowler

Meanwhile, RCB keeper-batter Jitesh Sharma provides a hint on the star pacer. Sharma stated that only the management could answer properly about the current status of Josh Hazlewood

“Management will give you the right answer on Josh Hazlewood,” Jitesh Sharma said ahead of the RCB vs CSK match, which will be on the evening of Sunday, April 5, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

There isn't a particular score. Last year, the pitch played differently. This year, it played beautifully - Jitesh.

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) April 4, 2026

Sharma further mentioned that the pitch in Bengaluru looks different this year and seems to be more batting-friendly for him. So, it was hard for him to predict a particular total that could be enough for them to win a match.

“There isn't a particular score. Last year, the pitch played differently. This year, it played beautifully,” Jitesh added.

Jitesh also commented on the controversial Impact Player rule in IPL

He also commented on the controversial impact player rule in the Indian Premier League. Multiple star players had raised their concerns about the rule, as it could make the teams less dependent on the all-rounders.

Using the impact player rule, teams have the freedom to substitute any player in an innings. In most of the cases, franchises prefer to use regular batters or regular bowlers as substitutes. Jitesh Sharma believes that the rule is good as an extra Indian player can get chances in the league.

“We are hungry to win the title. It is a new season, we have to start again - Jitesh. It is a good one-impact sub rule. An Indian player is getting an extra chance,” Jitesh Sharma opined.

Read More: Pat Cummins flies home suddenly in middle of IPL 2026, SRH stunned