Josh Hazlewood Out; RCB's Probable Bowling Attack For IPL 2026 Initial Matches

RCB's probable bowling attack without Hazlewood [Source: AFP]

Even before the IPL 2026 season has commenced, defending champions RCB, have suffered a major injury jolt as their star pacer, Josh Hazlewood, is set to miss the start of the upcoming season. The Australian pacer has been dealing with hamstring issues, and he is yet to fully recover from them.

This comes in as a problem for RCB as last season, during their triumphant title run, Hazlewood scalped 22 wickets in 12 matches, and helped the side win their maiden IPL title. However, in his absence, the RCB bowling attack automatically looks weak, and they need a solid replacement to fill in Hazlewood’s shoes.

With the lanky Australian pacer out for the first few games, RCB needs a rejig in their bowling attack, and here’s how their attack could look like for the initial few matches, in Hazlewood’s absence.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to lead pace bowling attack

With no Hazlewood available, RCB’s next best bowler is certainly Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is known for his skill sets in the powerplay and in the death overs as well. In the Aussie bowlers’ absence, Bhuvneshwar is likely to bowl in the powerplay, and judging by his stats from last season, expect another stellar performance from the RCB veteran.

(Bhuvneshwar Kumar in IPL 2025)

• The economy was slightly on the higher side, but it is understood since he played the majority of his IPL 2025 matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, known as the batting paradise.
• In 14 matches, he scalped 17 wickets, and was the perfect bowling partner for Josh Hazlewood as the duo tormented the batters with their pinpoint yorkers.

Also Read: 3 RCB Players Who Can Be Top Run-Getters In IPL 2026

Inexperienced pacers barring Bhuvneshwar

Apart from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, RCB doesn’t possess any other experienced pacers, and that could be trouble calling for the IPL 2025 winners. The team has Yash Dayal, who has been associated with the franchise for two years, but the left-arm seamer has not played a competitive game for months, and maybe the franchise won’t use him this season.

In such a situation, RCB could use Mangesh Yadav, a like-for-like replacement. He was bought for a hefty amount, and RCB would be interested in trying him right from game one.

In Hazlewood’s absence, the RCB management has two options- either play Jacob Duffy, or go in with the skillful, Nuwan Thushara.

For the first few games, RCB could be tempted to go in with Thushara, whom they can also use as a death-overs specialist, a department that needs addressing. Also, Romario Shepherd will be used as a two-overs specialist, if and when needed.

A weak spin-bowling department

Last season, it was Krunal Pandya who dominated RCB’s spin-bowling department. He was the star of the show in the finals against PBKS, and the onus will once again be on the X-factor, Krunal to lead the line.

However, this is where the trouble begins. There is Suyash Sharma in the side as the main spinner, but he lacks the wicket-taking ability, and that was evident last season.

(Suyash Sharma in IPL 2025)

• In IPL 2025, he only managed to pick up 8 wickets and was mostly used as a defensive bowler by captain Rajat Patidar. He will surely play in the playing XI, but will his inability to take wickets at will haunt RCB in IPL 2026?

RCB's probable bowling attack in Hazlewood's absence

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mangesh Yadav, Nuwan Thushara, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd

Conclusion

We saw last season that when Hazlewood was unable, the RCB bowling suffered as they conceded runs for fun. The same trend could be followed in the upcoming season as RCB will not get Hazlewood’s quality for the first few matches, and it could be trouble for the IPL champions as they aim to defend their crown.

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