Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have received an initial setback with injuries to two of their top overseas players. Glenn Maxwell and Josh Hazlewood from Australia are both unlikely to play in the team’s opening match, with Hazlewood expected to miss the first few matches.
During Australia’s recent tour of India, Hazlewood was unable to participate in any of the matches due to an ongoing Achilles problem. He withdrew from the tour midway through. Prior to joining the RCB squad in India, he will consult with Cricket Australia’s medical team.
Meanwhile, Maxwell played his last match during the ODI series in India, but he has not fully regained his match fitness after suffering a major leg fracture. The all-rounder sustained the injury shortly after the 2022 T20 World Cup and had to sit out the Big Bash League (BBL) as a result of this unexpected mishap.
While the rest of the squad prepares for their first match against the five-time IPL champions, he is currently focusing on his strength and conditioning at the gym.
The troubles for the three-time finalists persist, as one more of their overseas star players, Wanindu Hasaranga, will not be available for the first two matches of the team. Hasaranga, the mystery spinner, is on international duty and will join the squad only after Sri Lanka’s three-match T20I series against New Zealand concludes on April 8.
Furthermore, RCB had to make changes to their overseas players due to an injury to all-rounder Will Jacks, who was replaced by Michael Bracewell. Following the RCB Unbox event, most of the squad has reported for camp, and the team has begun training.
