The IPL 2026 is almost at the door, and the tournament will begin on March 28 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru with a blockbuster match between the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Fans are also anticipating the tournament; however, they fear that two of the leading Australian bowling phenomena, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, will not be playing in the early days of IPL 2026.
Hazlewood for RCB and Cummins for SRH are both dealing with injuries that have kept them out of action for months. This news hits hard for both teams who rely on these pace aces for big wickets.
Why Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins Miss IPL 2026 Start
Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are top fast bowlers, but injuries have ruled them out for the early days of IPL 2026. Hazlewood is still under physio care and waiting for medical clearance from his hamstring and Achilles problems. Cummins is recovering from a back injury, a lumbar stress fracture that sidelined him from the T20 World Cup 2026 and most of the Ashes series. Neither has played competitive cricket since the end of 2025 and may find it difficult to be ready in time for the opening matches of IPL 2026.
Hazlewood last bowled in a Sheffield Shield game for New South Wales in November 2025. His injuries started with a hamstring pull, and then Achilles discomfort stopped his comeback. For Cummins, the back issue forced him out after one Ashes Test, and he also skipped the T20 World Cup. Reports say rehab is ongoing for both, so they won’t travel to India right away. This is why Hazlewood Cummins is unlikely to play in the early days of IPL 2026.
Josh Hazlewood Injury Details and RCB Impact
Josh Hazlewood’s participation in IPL 2026 with RCB is in the balance as he is undergoing rehab and is expected to miss at least two matches, which means that Hazlewood may not be available until April 11.RCB starts against SRH on March 28, so Hazlewood’s absence for IPL 2026 early days means no spearhead pacer from day one.
Hazlewood was RCB’s leading wicket-taker in IPL 2025 with 22 scalps in 12 games during their title win. Without him, RCB’s pace attack looks weak early on. They depend on him for control in death overs and swing up front. Fans love his accuracy, but now RCB must find replacements fast. This blow comes right before the title defense, raising big questions about bowling strength.
Pat Cummins Recovery Timeline for SRH in IPL 2026
Pat Cummins, SRH captain, is also unlikely to feature in the first few IPL 2026 games due to back recovery. He last played in December 2025 against England, taking six wickets. The lumbar stress fracture kept him from the T20 World Cup 2026 and limited Ashes play. SRH’s opener against RCB on March 28 will see no Cummins.
Cummins was retained for Rs 18 crore and led SRH well in the recent IPLs. His absence means SRH lacks a world-class all-round leader early. Reports say Abhishek Sharma or Ishan Kishan might captain the side initially. Cummins brings pace, smarts, and batting power, so the SRH pace unit suffers without him.
Reasons Behind Hazlewood and Cummins Injuries
Both pacers faced tough luck with injuries over the last year. Hazlewood’s hamstring tear came in the Sheffield Shield, then his Achilles flared up during rehab. He missed all five Ashes Tests and the T20 World Cup 2026 squad. Cummins’s back fracture hit before the Ashes 2025-26, letting him play just one Test. He pulled out of the T20 World Cup at the last minute to focus on recovery.
Also Read: BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia’s Shocking IPL 2026 Schedule Reveal
Team Strategies Without Stars in IPL 2026 Early Days
RCB has to re-jig their combination for the early matches of IPL 2026 without Hazlewood. They have other options in the form of Yash Dayal and other overseas bowlers, though none of them is as experienced as Hazlewood. The batting superstars like Virat Kohli and Phil Salt may have to contribute even more. Domestic players may have to step up, feels RCB coach Andy Flower.
SRH faces a captaincy shuffle with Cummins out. Abhishek Sharma led before and knows the attack well. Their explosive batting with Travis Head and Abhishek can cover, but pace led by Mohammed Shami or others needs to fire. Both teams plan for mid-tournament return, but early points table pressure is real.
Both players shared positive updates. Cummins said he’s managing workload for IPL. Hazlewood awaits physio nod. Indian fans hope they recover fast, as IPL without them feels incomplete.
