Hazlewood replacements in RCB [Source: X]It seems like nothing is going right for the Australian team before the T20 World Cup. The Kangaroos have had multiple injury issues with key players, and that has dented their hopes for the upcoming event. With Pat Cummins already ruled out for a few games, and Adam Zampa doubtful, Josh Hazlewood has also increased Australia’s headache.Hazlewood’s injury has also given nightmares to his IPL franchise, RCB, as the Australian fast bowler was their key weapon in the title-winning campaign. The lanky bowler is not getting any younger and is injury-prone as of late; hence, there could be a chance that the IPL franchise might look for a replacement.Here are 3 bowlers who can replace Hazlewood in RCB if the pacer is not hundred percent fit for IPL 2026.1) Jhye RichardsonA right-arm quick pacer from Western Australia, Jhye Richardson, has the international experience and could be a like-for-like Josh Hazlewood replacement. Just like Hazlewood, Richardson is accurate with his lines and lengths and can move the ball both ways, and has the ability to trouble the best in the business.A bit injury-prone, but when fit, Richardson is one of the best T20 bowlers in Australia. In the recently concluded BBL, he finished with 11 wickets in 7 matches, with an economy of 9.35. Moreover, his overall T20 stats are also impressive.CriterionSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDataSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMatchesSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table104SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDismissalsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table135SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableAverageSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table22.78SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableEconomySelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table8.09SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table(Richardson in T20s)135 wickets in just 104 matches define Richardson’s career. He is a proven performer in the T20 format and could be a great asset for the RCB, who will look to replace Hazlewood with a wicket-taking bowler.2) Spencer JohnsonA not so popular choice to replace Hazlewood, but RCB lack a quality left-arm seamer, and Spencer Johnson can be that asset for the side. His time at KKR was a mis-hit, but the pacer has the ability to bowl in-swingers at a quick pace, and is an excellent new ball bowler, a trait that Hazlewood possesses.A force to reckon with in the BBL, Johnson has an excellent T20 record which is even better than Richardson.CriterionSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDataSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMatchesSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table71SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDismissalsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table85SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableAverageSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table22.94SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableEconomySelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table7.94SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table(Johnson in T2Os)The wily left-arm pacer has played in 71 T20 matches and has taken85 wickets with an impressive economy rate of 7.94. He can take wickets in the powerplay, and that could be useful for RCB.Moreover, with Yash Dayal’s future uncertain, the team needs a quality left-armer, and Johnson can do the job for them.3) Wiaan MulderAn out-of-the-box choice, but South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder will suit the bill perfectly if RCB acquire him in case Hazlewood is unable. He can bowl, he can take wickets, and he can certainly score runs at a rapid pace.If he plays on the team, RCB can also accommodate Jacob Duffy, who can be the primary pacer in the playing XI. Mulder can be used at number 7 with the bat, and he can also give RCB four quality overs with the ball.The South African can bowl in the powerplay, and unlike other options mentioned in the list, he can also deliver the goods in the middle-overs.Final verdictHazlewood will cause plenty of headaches within the RCB camp, and if a situation arises where the franchise needs to replace him, then Jhye Richardson looks like the best buy. In terms of traits, he is similar to what Hazlewood offers, and the seamer has the ability to take wickets inside the powerplay, something which the franchise would want from their replacement player.
