Bad news for CSK? Josh Hazlewood set to feature for RCB at Chinnaswamy: Reports

After a heartbreaking loss to Punjab Kings at Chepauk, where Priyansh Arya and Shreyas Iyer spoiled the party despite Ayush Mhatre's brilliant 73, Chennai Super Kings head to Bengaluru on Sunday night for the Southern Derby against RCB.

It is exactly the kind of high-profile fixture that a wounded CSK side needs to bounce back in, and RCB will know that a desperate Chennai team at the Chinnaswamy is one of the most dangerous opponents in the IPL. But hovering over all of that is one question that RCB fans cannot stop asking, will Josh Hazlewood finally make his return on Sunday night?

What the reports are saying about Josh Hazlewood

As per RevSportz, there is a genuine possibility that Hazlewood features against CSK on Sunday. The report indicates that RCB are seriously considering his inclusion for the Southern Derby after monitoring his progress closely over the last week.

The decision has not been finalised but the signs are increasingly positive and the franchise is leaning toward giving him the green light if he comes through the final fitness checks without any setbacks.

What was seen at the nets at Chinnsawamy in Bengaluru

Reports align with what was witnessed at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday when Hazlewood put in one of the most encouraging net sessions of his recovery.

Hazlewood started at the side nets from a short run-up before moving to the centre wicket and marking out his full run-up for a lengthy spell of approximately an hour. He progressed methodically through fuller lengths, good-length deliveries and eventually back-of-a-length short deliveries, the hard-hitting style that makes him so dangerous in T20 cricket.

He finished the session with catching drills, looking completely comfortable throughout. A bowler who puts his body through that kind of load does not do so unless the medical team and the franchise are confident he is close to ready.

Also READ: ‘Tough one to take’: Ruturaj Gaikwad after CSK fail to defend 209

Why his return matters so much for RCB vs CSK IPL 2026 game

Hazlewood's absence has been the single biggest concern around RCB's title defence since the tournament began.

The opening game against SRH was won despite a depleted pace attack featuring Jacob Duffy and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and while the result was positive the bowling remained the obvious vulnerability in RCB's otherwise formidable setup.

Hazlewood's return would transform that picture entirely, his ability to swing the new ball, hit the hard lengths and bowl in the powerplay and at the death makes him irreplaceable in this attack.

Against a CSK batting lineup that will be desperate to make a statement after the Punjab defeat, having Hazlewood available is the difference between RCB feeling comfortable about their bowling and RCB having a genuine weakness that CSK's think tank will be targeting.