Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been given a significant boost with the official return of Josh Hazlewood to their lineup for the match against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. However, persistent rain has become a hurdle, causing uncertainty regarding the start of play.
The toss was delayed by 15 minutes due to showers. Rajasthan Royals’ captain Riyan Parag won the toss and chose to bowl first, citing moisture on the pitch from the recent rain. Just after the toss, rain returned, leading to a pause in play and raising concerns about further delays.
Hazlewood’s comeback is a crucial move for RCB, given his standout performance in their previous title-winning season. As the leading wicket-taker with 22 wickets in 12 matches at an impressive average of 8.77, his early strikes and control over runs were instrumental in RCB’s success.
Having been sidelined due to injury, Hazlewood’s return is eagerly awaited after missing key events like the Ashes series and T20 World Cup 2026. Despite Jacob Duffy’s impressive performances in Hazlewood’s absence, RCB opted to bring back the experienced Australian bowler for his proven track record.
With the pitch expected to favor seam bowling due to moisture, Hazlewood’s return is crucial for RCB to capitalize on any bowling assistance available at the start of the match.
In team announcements, Rajasthan Royals’ Parag emphasized the decision to bowl first based on the weather conditions and highlighted the importance of strategic cricket. RCB’s Patidar confirmed Hazlewood’s return to the XI and praised both Hazlewood and Duffy for their contributions.
The playing XIs for the match are set with both teams making strategic changes to adapt to the conditions. The anticipation grows as the match progresses, with fans eagerly awaiting a competitive showdown between the two teams.