IPL 2025: Josh Hazlewood, Jacob Bethell Injured Before RCB's 1st Match? Massive Update Arrives From Kolkata

The IPL 2025 will begin on March 22 with KKR versus RCB in the tournament opener at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. RCB will be looking to get their season off to a strong start. Last year, they made it to the playoffs in a dramatic manner but were eliminated.

They will face a difficult fight against the great KKR, who are well-prepared for home conditions. However, there have been some injury concerns in the RCB camp, namely Josh Hazlewood and Jacob Bethell.

Both Hazlewood and Bethell are coming off injuries, and it will be intriguing to watch how they do when they return. Josh Hazlewood had a calf strain, and Jacob Bethell sustained a hamstring injury.

Josh Hazlewood and Jacob Bethell undergo fitness tests before KKR v RCB clash

With the IPL 2025 set to begin, RCB team management will be hesitant to have them in the playing XI. As a result, both of them underwent fitness tests ahead of the team's tournament opener against the Kolkata Knight Riders.

According to Cricbuzz, both Josh Hazlewood and Jacob Bethell underwent fitness tests administered by the team's strength and conditioning coach, Shanker Basu. Both players are coming off injuries, and the RCB team management is hesitant about giving them a chance in the playing XI.

Josh Hazlewood bowled a few overs, and while he didn't bowl for long, his bowling run-up and follow-through appeared to be OK. The fast bowler appeared to be in good rhythm, bowling at full force.

RCB Injury Updates from the practice session!@prat1204 reports from the Eden Gardens#KKRvRCB #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/RGqQmBSozS

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 20, 2025

Hazlewood one of the most important picks for RCB

Hazlewood is the most experienced bowler in the RCB team. The Australian missed the Champions Trophy owing to an injury, but he is anticipated to return in the IPL as his team's top fast bowler.

RCB signed Hazlewood for INR 12.50 crore in the mega auction. Lungi Ngidi and Nuwan Thushara are the other two overseas quicks in the squad. Yash Dayal and Rasikh Salam are the two Indian pace options who are quite capable in this format.

Tim David to be benched for Jacob Bethell

Jacob Bethell, on the other hand, worked on his left-arm spin in the nets, which will come in handy if he is selected for the Playing XI squad. In terms of batting, Bethell batted more than Tim David, suggesting that he may be selected ahead of the Australian.

Tim David played for the Mumbai Indians last season before joining RCB in a mega-auction bidding war with MI. However, Bethell gives the squad some critical overs of left-arm spin, which may work to his advantage.

The gifted left-hander, who missed England's Champions Trophy campaign due to injury, will be anxious to return to professional cricket. It will be his first IPL season after signing for INR 2.60 crore at the auction.

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