Hazlewood rejoins RCB ahead of IPL playoffs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have got a massive boost ahead of the Indian Premier League playoffs with Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood rejoining the side two days before their final league match here on Tuesday. Hazlewood had returned home during the one-week break due to the suspension of the IPL in the wake of India-Pakistan military conflict and was also dealing with a shoulder niggle from which the right-arm pacer has recovered. “It’s obviously great to be back. A couple of weeks at home, (I) made the most of the last (as I) went up to Brisbane and bowled quite a few overs,” Hazlewood said in a video posted by RCB on Sunday. “Everything has been good. Hopefully to get the ball rolling again and, yeah, look forward to tomorrow and start the practice,” he added. The 34-year-old was training in Brisbane as a part of Australia’s preparations for the World Test Championship final against South Africa next month and was being monitored by Cricket Australia’s medical team. The RCB camp was closely monitoring Hazlewood’s progress. He has been RCB’s best bowler in this IPL with 18 wickets in 10 matches and is currently fourth-highest wicket-taker in the competition. Already qualified for the play-offs, RCB face Lucknow Super Giants in their last IPL league match here on Tuesday. RCB will depend on other results for a top-two finish after losing their last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad by 42 runs. In fact, a win by a narrow margin for PBKS over Mumbai Indians on Monday would keep RCB ahead but in case of a defeat to LSG, the Rajat Patidar-led side would have to go through the Eliminator again. @@@