RCB vs LSG IPL 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru currently sit comfortably in third place in the IPL 2026 points table, having won four of their first five matches. The defending champions carried last season’s title-winning energy straight into this edition, beating arch-rivals CSK and MI along the way.

Virat Kohli and Phil Salt have provided consistent powerplay starts, while Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and Tim David have held the middle order together. Yet, even with the batting performing so well, questions about Josh Hazlewood and his fitness have followed the team through every game, hanging over their bowling plans during these first few weeks of IPL 2026.

Josh Hazlewood’s fitness situation in RCB’s bowling attack

The story of Josh Hazlewood in IPL 2026 has been a bit of a waiting game. Out of action since November, the 35-year-old Australian pacer got injured during a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales, missed the home Ashes series, and eventually lost his spot in the T20 World Cup squad. RCB handled his absence carefully at the start, playing Jacob Duffy, who did a solid job.

Hazlewood finally returned against the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, replacing Duffy. Rajat Patidar pointed to the Australian’s experience at the toss. However, RCB then left Hazlewood out against the Mumbai Indians just two days later, and Patidar didn’t give a specific reason at the toss. Now, ahead of the RCB vs LSG IPL 2026 clash at Chinnaswamy tonight, it is still unclear if he will play.

Analysts are split on whether RCB simply rested him to manage his workload or if he picked up a fresh niggle after the RR game. Jacob Duffy is a strong candidate to keep his spot, having already taken six wickets in three matches. Meanwhile, RCB will be hoping Josh Hazlewood gets back to his best soon as the tournament enters its most intense phase.

What do Hazlewood’s numbers tell us about his RCB value?

The stats show exactly why Josh Hazlewood is so important to this side. He played a huge part in RCB’s first IPL title last season, taking 22 wickets in 12 matches, which is why the franchise kept him for INR 12.50 crore. Over his IPL career, he has 57 wickets at an average of 20.98 and an economy rate of 8.28.

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In IPL 2025 alone, he averaged 17.54 with the ball, acting as the team’s reliable option whenever they needed a breakthrough. In IPL 2026, he finished with 2/44 in his only game so far against RR, showing he can still be dangerous even when he isn’t at 100% match fitness. As we head into RCB vs LSG IPL 2026 tonight, every fan at the Chinnaswamy will be checking the team sheet, hoping to see Josh Hazlewood back in the lineup.