IPL 2025: Who is Josh Hazlewood replacing in PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1

In what seems to be a relieving piece of news for the RCB fans, the veteran pacer Josh Hazlewood has returned to the playing XI of the side for the first qualifier against the Punjab Kings. The star pacer was unavailable in the last phase of the tournament’s league stage, after the tournament resumed, following a week-long suspension.

Meanwhile, picking Hazlewood in the playing XI also made RCB management change their plans to fit in the veteran Aussie pacer in the final XI. Hazlewood’s entry into the XI, alongside the experience of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, will be very crucial for RCB during the powerplay phase of the innings.

RCB aim a spot in the Final with Josh Hazlewood 

Notably, Josh Hazlewood is replacing the star Sri Lanka pacer Nuwan Thushara in RCB’s playing XI of the ongoing first qualifier against Punjab Kings. He played for RCB against LSG in the last league match, bowling the most economical spell, with a wicket at just 26 runs in his 4 overs, with an economy rate of 6.50.

Speaking of Josh Hazlewood, even after a break of a couple of matches, he is still the ‘top performing bowler’ for RCB in the ongoing IPL 2025 so far. The 34-year-old has scalped 18 wickets in 10 innings, with a brilliant bowling strike rate of just 12.2. It also includes a four-wicket haul to his credit (4 wickets at just 33 runs in a game).

Returning to RCB, they are coming off a historic 6-wicket win against LSG to finish their league stage in the top two. With that win, they also secured two chances to confirm a spot in the tournament’s summit clash. Even if they lost against PBKS, they will play in the second qualifier against the winner of the eliminator between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians. But still, the Red and Gold will aim to win this game to avoid any other obstacle in the way of the final.

Here's a look at RCB’s playing XI against PBKS

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar (C), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, and Suyash Sharma