New Delhi, March 20 (NationPress) Former South African cricketer Faf du Plessis has emphasized the significance of Josh Hazlewood for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as they gear up for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. He stated that the team's success is heavily reliant on the availability of the Australian fast bowler.

Hazlewood, instrumental in RCB's victorious run in IPL 2025, has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury during the Sheffield Shield on November 12 last year. He also missed the recently held T20 World Cup 2026 as he has not yet achieved full fitness. The 35-year-old is currently under the care of Cricket Australia and is expected to be unavailable for the initial matches of IPL 2026, with his return date still uncertain.

Du Plessis elaborated on Hazlewood’s knack for performing during critical moments, both at the start and end of innings, highlighting his pivotal role in the bowling lineup. His absence creates a notable void within the team.

“When he was part of the squad, even during my tenure, we consistently had robust bowling lineups, and removing him creates a significant gap because he secures wickets in the power play. He is also outstanding in the death overs. Therefore, much of our success is directly linked to Hazlewood’s fitness,” Du Plessis remarked, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

The former Proteas captain pointed out the ongoing challenge of assembling a strong bowling unit at RCB's home base, Chinnaswamy Stadium, due to the ground's batting-friendly characteristics, making seasoned bowlers even more vital.

“Chinnaswamy has long been a challenging venue. Throughout my years there, planning for home conditions proved difficult as they constantly change and favor batters. The only notable aspect I’ve identified is the necessity for a top-quality finger spinner, which I wish we had during my time, especially with the talents we are discussing now,” he noted.

Du Plessis emphasized that a balanced mix of bowlers, featuring quality spinners and experienced pacers like Hazlewood, is essential for RCB's success in the forthcoming IPL season.

“The key difference I've noted is the need for a quality finger spinner, which we lacked during our tenure. Now, with players like Krunal Pandya, who was instrumental last season, it's clear how crucial such players are,” he added.

RCB will kick off their title defense on March 28, facing off against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the tournament opener at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.