Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) host Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 52 of IPL 2025 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday (May 3). Josh Hazlewood will miss the match due to a shoulder niggle.
Why is Josh Hazlewood not playing?
RCB captain Rajat Patidar did not mention the reason of the star pacer’s exclusion from the playing 11 during the toss. However, as per reports, Harsha Bhogle on air mentioned that Josh Hazlewood is missing the match due to a shoulder niggle.
A look at Josh Hazlewood’s performances in IPL 2025
Josh Hazlewood has been a top-notch performer in IPL 2025 thus far, having picked up 18 wickets in 10 matches for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The Australian pacer has been amongst the wickets and is in contention for the purple cap. He picked up a four-wicket haul against Rajasthan Royals, with figures of 4/33.
He also picked up three-wickets hauls thrice in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League. Josh finished his spell with figures of 3/14 against PBKS and 3/21 during his side’s previous meeting against five-time champions Chennai Super Kings.
Hazlewood has a economy of 8.44 and has conceded 311 runs from 221 malls in the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League.
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Lungi Ngidi replaces Josh Hazlewood in RCB playing 11
South African pacer Lungi Ngidi has replaced Josh Hazlewood in RCB playing 11 for their match against Chennai Super Kings. Ngidi will play his first game this season against his former side CSK. He has picked up 25 wickets in 14 matches across three seasons in the Indian Premier League.
He picked up 11 wickets from seven games in his maiden IPL season with Chennai Super Kings and had nine and five scalps in IPL 2020 and IPL 2021, respectively.
RCB will also continue to open with English batter Jacob Bethell, who replaced Phil Salt in the playing 11 against Delhi Capitals as the wicket-keeper batter was down with fever.
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