Former Australian captain Michael Clarke gave an interesting take on Josh Hazlewood’s availability for the upcoming IPL 2026. Hazlewood is currently recovering from his injury and he is all set to miss the initial phase of IPL 2026 for RCB.

Clarke said the lanky pacer doesn’t need to be fit for the entire IPL 2026 season and RCB would be happy if he is available for the fag end of the tournament, which is always the right time for any team to peak in the competition.

Hazlewood had played an instrumental role in taking RCB to glory in IPL 2025 as he scalped 22 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 17.54 and an economy rate of 8.77.

“Josh Hazlewood is a big one though. I reckon, it sounds like he’s not over in India. I reckoned that could be defining. If he’s fit for that tournament. I don’t think he needs to be fit for the entire tournament. Probably the backend, if they can get him up and going and bowling as well as he can, I reckon he’s a match-winner. For RCB, I think they’ll be super confident in what they have achieved. I think Josh is a big player for them,” Michael Clarke said on the ‘Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.’

On the other hand, Australian cricketer Peter Hatzoglou said RCB have got consistency in their squad, which would help them in their success.

“Consistency and having a consistent core accounts for a lot. Not only players and coaches but also staff around the group counts for so much in setting up the squad for success. RCB, Josh Hazlewood has been a champion there, and they’ve got that consistency throughout the whole organisation, which sets you up for success,” he said. (via the aforementioned source)

RCB will begin their IPL defense against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru on 28th March.