IPL 2022: Josh Hazlewood Unlikely To Be Available For Royal Challengers Bangalore Before April 12

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood is not likely to play for his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) before April 12 in the ongoing IPL 2022 season. As per reports, Hazlewood is yet to join the franchise team bubble for IPL-15 and is unlikely to be available for at least another week.

The Australian players who were part of the Pakistan tour are supposed to be available after April 6, and Hazlewood, who was a part of the Australian squad during the Pakistan series, will be joining the franchise in the next couple of days and will undergo a mandatory three-day quarantine before being available for selection.

This means, that had Hazlewood joined the RCB franchise now and completed his quarantine by now, he could have played the game against Mumbai Indians on April 9.

“Hazlewood would be joining the team in next couple of days. Unlike others, he didn’t directly link up with his franchise post Pakistan series. He has taken a short break due to personal reasons,” an IPL source told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

Given that Hazlewood is yet to arrive in India, and will take a few more days, it is most likely that the right-arm pacer could be available post completion of quarantine is the one against Chennai Super Kings on April 12.

Glenn Maxwell To Miss Royal Challengers Bangalore Match Against Rajasthan Royals

Another Australian cricketer that will miss out on the Royal Challengers Bangalore match against Rajasthan Royals will be their mercurial all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell has missed the first couple of matches for RCB as he was getting married to his fiancée Vini Raman.

However, being a centrally contracted player with Cricket Australia, Maxwell will only become available after April 6 and hence will miss the RR match. The 33-year-old will however be available for selection for RCB’s fourth match in IPL 2022 on April 9 against Mumbai Indians.

“From a Cricket Australia point of view, no contracted players are available before the 6th of April. So, regardless of when they arrive over here, no one can play until the 6th. We’ve been well aware of that as any other side, we’ve planned for that. Maxi will be with us and available from the 9th (of April),” Mike Hesson, RCB Director of Cricket Operations, said.

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