Josh Hazlewood provides official update on Virat Kohli’s injury: “He isn’t great...”

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) superstar pacer Josh Hazlewood has provided an official update on the injury of the batting great Virat Kohli, ahead of the team's next match against the Delhi Capitals.

Rajat Patidar-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be hosting the Axar Patel-led Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 26th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

He will definitely play - Josh Hazlewood on Virat Kohli

Kohli is regarded as THE FITTEST CRICKETER IN THE WORLD, but a sportsperson cannot always remain fit, and with age, injuries tend to creep in. At 37, Kohli is still in the best shape of his life, but he faced some fitness issues during the match against the Mumbai Indians (MI).

Kohli suffered an ankle injury during the match and was also a bit under the weather. However, he didn't skip the following match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and played as an Impact Player.

Notably, Kohli had earlier said that he would never play as an Impact Player and would rather quit cricket if he was not able to field, but a sudden injury forced him to take the role in RCB's previous game.

Kohli has been working hard in the nets for the next game, and Josh Hazlewood confirmed that the batter will play it. However, Josh Hazlewood didn't confirm whether Kohli will play as an Impact Player.

"He will definitely play. Probably it is about whether Kohli would take the field. He can do that impact thing for as long as possible. But he isn't a great watcher, he likes to play," Hazlewood said, as quoted by RevSportz

He has kept getting better - Josh Hazlewood

During the same interaction with the media, Hazlewood showered ultimate praise on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper, Rajat Patidar, who has been in a stunning form in IPL 2026.

Josh Hazlewood said that Patidar keeps getting better and is a calm presence in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru dressing room.

"He has kept getting better. This year he has picked up from there. He is a calm character. His batting has been unbelievable," Hazlewood on Patidar."

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Hamstring first, then tendon, calf strain - Josh Hazlewood

Josh Hazlewood has missed out on a lot of cricketing action due to his injuries, and talking about them, he said that the rehabilitation process becomes horribly tough when one suffers back-to-back injuries.

"Hamstring first, then tendon, calf strain. You learn when you get injured. It is tough doing rehab, then cricket is going on," the Aussie pacer stated.

The 35-year-old further talked about the batters dominating the game in 20-over cricket, saying that the crowd enjoys big hits.

"It is a little bit cat-and-mouse game. Some batters perhaps watch it better, trying to anticipate.

"It is nice for the crowd to see fours and sixes (smiling). The pressure that batters are under is huge, they are expected to hit fours and sixes. The game is always changing, it is a nice challenge," the pacer added.

It is a little bit of a cat and mouse game. Some batters perhaps watch it better, trying to anticipate - Hazlewood.

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) April 17, 2026