Why is Josh Hazlewood not playing RCB vs SRH IPL 2025 match? Check RCB Playing XI

In an important news development, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are playing without their premier overseas pacer Josh Hazlewood in the 65th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) set to be hosted at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The Royal Challengers Bangalore have definitely performed really well this year both in the batting as well as bowling departments. RCB are currently slotted at the second position on the IPL 2025 points table with a total of 8 wins from 12 matches so far in the ongoing edition of the T20 competition. After having confirmed a spot in the IPL playoffs, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be hoping to finish in either of the top-two positions. 

Why is Josh Hazlewood not playing today's RCB vs SRH IPL 2025 match?

It is a huge setback for the Royal Challengers Bangalore that their senior overseas fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has not yet joined back after the tournament was suspended for a week due to the India-Pakistan tensions on the border. Incidentally, the right-arm pacer missed the previous match against Chennai Super Kings due to a shoulder niggle after which he travelled back to Australia and is currently not available for selection in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2025 match on Friday. 

For the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Aussie fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been really impressive with the ball having taken as many as 18 wickets from a total of 10 matches at an average of 17.27. Interestingly, his availability is also under serious doubts as he is part of the Australian Test squad for the all-important ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final against South Africa scheduled to begin from 11 June at the Lord's. 

However, the recent reports reveal that Josh Hazlewood is very much likely to join the Royal Challengers Bengaluru camp for the IPL 2025 playoffs. He has already started his rehabilitation from the shoulder niggle as he has been training in Brisbane. Royal Challengers Bangalore will be playing their final league match against Lucknow Super Giants on May 27, 2025. 

"It's my first time captaining RCB. I captained PBKS against SRH last year. We are thinking to bowl first, want to take most of the surface from the moisture. We are looking forward to finish the league on top of the table and enter the playoffs. The management has taken care of the players. We have a good atmosphere and culture. We want to win every game and win the cup. Rajat Patidar is the impact player. Mayank comes in for Padikkal," stated RCB's stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma during the toss. 

🪙 Resuming our campaign on a lucky note, Captain Jitesh wins the toss and chooses to bowl! 🤩

Team News: 📰

2️⃣ changes from the last game: ⬇️

Salt 🔄 Bethell
Mayank 🔄 Dev#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2025 #RCBvSRH @qatarairways pic.twitter.com/Kdtr7hXBPZ

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 23, 2025

RCB Playing XI

Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Jitesh Sharma(w/c), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Lungi Ngidi, Suyash Sharma.

RCB IPL 2025 squad

Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Blessing Muzarabani, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Liam Livingstone, Swapnil Singh, Philip Salt, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara.