Hazlewood, Cummins unlikely to play in early IPL 2026 fixtures

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to start their IPL 2026 campaign without fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. He will miss the opening two games as he continues recovery from an injury-laden home summer, having missed the entire Ashes series. Hazlewood suffered a hamstring injury before an Achilles complaint during recovery. He was key to RCB's title win last year, taking 22 wickets at 17.54.

He is likely to be joined on the late arrivals list by fellow Australian Pat Cummins, who is also not expected to feature in Sunrisers Hyderabad's opening few matches. This includes a clash against Hazlewood's RCB on the opening night of the season, March 28. The SRH captain played only one Test during the Ashes in mid-December, having been in rehabilitation from a back injury picked up last July.

Both Hazlewood and Cummins were ruled out of the T20 World Cup, where Australia exited in the first round. Cricket Australia's medical staff continue to monitor them closely, leaving some uncertainty over their exact IPL availability. However, they remain in contention to play a significant portion of the season.

Hazlewood has emerged as one of the premier fast bowlers in T20 cricket and was in devastating form in white-ball games against India prior to the Ashes.

Cummins has played a significant leadership role for Hyderabad, taking them to the final two years ago, and is a vital part of their bowling attack. Reports suggest Sunrisers are looking for a stand-in captain in his absence.

Australian selectors have supported the players prioritising national team commitments over the IPL following their World Cup absence.

"It's a timing issue. If it was in reverse, they'd be missing the IPL to play in the World Cup. We know their commitment to want to play and succeed for Australia," selector Tony Dodemaide said in February.

Australia will need Cummins and Hazlewood at peak fitness from August onwards for a hectic 16-month schedule, including away Test tours to South Africa, India, and England, alongside the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Most other Australian players for the IPL are scheduled to fly to India later this week, with some leaving on Saturday.