IPL 2025 RCB: Royal Challengers Bangalore have confirmed their place in the playoffs. The team is to play the last match against Lucknow (LSG Vs RCB) in the league stage, which is important to go to the top 2. Earlier, good news has come for Rajat Patidar and Team. Deadly Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood has returned to India, he has joined the team

Josh Hazlewood returned home after the IPL was postponed on May 8, when the tournament started back, Hazlewood did not return to India. His play was doubtful as he is also part of the World Test Championship Final Squad, which will be played between Australia and South Africa from 11 June. But Cricket Australia had made it clear that the players who want to return to India, the board will respect their decision and support them ..

Josh Hazlewood involved in the race for purple cap

The Australian fast bowler has contributed significantly to the RCB to reach the playoffs, you can guess that he is still in the top 5 in the list of bowlers taking the most wickets in the tournament. He has taken 18 wickets in 10 matches, he is 4 wickets behind the Purple Cap holder famous Krishna.

Tim David can be out

In the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Tim David had gone out of the field due to a stretch in Hamstring, he came to bat but did not seem to be right at all. His leg was not able to move too much, in such a situation it seems difficult that he can play the match ahead now. It had increased the tension in RCB camp, but now this tension must have reduced a bit due to the arrival of Hazelwood.

LSG vs RCB match will be important for top 2

The final match of the league stage in IPL season 18 will be played between Lucknow and Bengaluru at Ekana Stadium on 27 May. RCB will have to win this match to reach the top 2 in the points table.

IPL 2025: The Indian Premier League season 18, which was stopped due to India Pakistan tension, is starting again from May 17. The first match will be between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders in Bangalore. A big question was whether Australian players would return to India for the remaining matches? Because from June 11, the final of the World Test Championship is to be played between Australia and South Africa. Now Cricket Australia has issued an official statement on this.

Cricket Australia issued an official statement saying, “Cricket Australia will support the players’ personal decision whether they want to return to India or not.” Punjab Kings currently have the most Australian players. The performance of Australian players from Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore with Punjab has been excellent this season. Their return or not returning can affect the team’s victory defeat.

Cricket Australia’s statement

Cricket Australia further said, “Team management will work on the preparation of the World Test Championship Final for players that choose to play in the remaining IPL matches. We are in touch with the Australian government and BCCI regarding security and safety.”

The players still involved in the race to make a place in the playoffs include Mitchell Starc, Jake Fraser-Macgark (DC), Spencer Johnson (KKR), Michel Marsh (LSG), Josh Hazlewood, Tim David (RCB), Marcus Stoinis, Mich Owen, Josh England, Aron Hardy, Jewier Bartlets (PBKS).

Josh Hazlewood plays for RCB, but is struggling with shoulder injury and it is difficult to return to India. Cricket Australia hopes that they will fit for the World Test Championship final. There is also news about Stark that he will not return to India.

IPL 2025 remaining matches schedule

• May 17: RCB vs KKR (Bengaluru)
• May 18: RR vs PBKS (Jaipur)
• May 18: DC Vs GT (Delhi)
• May 19: LSG vs SRH (Lucknow)
• May 20: CSK Vs RR (Delhi)
• May 21: Mi vs DC (Mumbai)
• May 22: GT vs LSG (Ahmedabad)
• May 23: RCB vs SRH (Bengaluru)
• May 24: Pbks vs DC (Jaipur)
• May 25: GT vs CSK (Ahmedabad)
• May 25: SRH vs KKR (Delhi)
• 26 May: PBKS Vs Mi (Jaipur)
• May 27: LSG vs RCB (Lucknow)

IPL 2025 Playoffs Schedule

• May 29: Qualifier 1 (Venue not fixed)
• May 30: Eliminator (Venue not fixed)
• 1 June: Qualifier 2 (Venue not fixed)
• June 3: Final (Venue not fixed)

Will Australian Players Return to India for IPL 2025: The 18th season of the Indian Premier League was stopped as a precaution but a plan is being prepared to start it back very soon. It can be started from May 15 or 16, meanwhile, there was news about some Australian players that he will no longer return to India. There has been a big update about Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Let us tell you which players of Australia are part of this league and which players can no longer return to India.

Josh Hazlewood’s injury update

For their first title, Royal Challengers Bangalore team is performing brilliantly this season, Australian bowling Josh Hazlewood has played an important role in it but now it is difficult to return to India. He is swallowed in his shoulder, due to which he did not even play his previous match. He was struggling with injury even before the IPL started.

He was also out of the Champions Trophy after the Border Gavaskar Trophy. However, a media report states that he is scheduled to play in the World Test Championship finals to be held in June, so Cricket Australia is not worried about him. If the IPL starts now, Hazlewood can be out, which will be a big shock for RCB.

Will Mitchell Starc not return to India for IPL 2025?

When Mitchell Starc returned to his country after the IPL was postponed, he did not talk to any media, his wife was also present with him. Nine News has quoted Stark’s manager in his news as saying that he will not return to India i.e. Delhi Capitals are also sure to be shocked, who were still performing brilliantly in the tournament.

Which Australian players will not return to India?

There are many such players from Australia, which are now difficult to return to India. However, this is not due to injury. Pat Cummins Sunrisers is the captain of Hyderabad, who has already been out of the playoff race. In such a situation, there is no meaning left in his return. There are also travis heads, they are also part of the Hyderabad franchise. Nathan Ellis is among the Chennai Super Kings, his team was the first team to be out of the playoff race.

Australian players playing in IPL 2025

Apart from this, there are many Australian players who are in the franchisees whose team is strong in the playoff race. Let me tell you that there is no such team yet who has confirmed its place in the playoffs.

The players still involved in the race to make a place in the playoffs include Mitchell Starc, Jake Fraser-Macgark (DC), Spencer Johnson (KKR), Michel Marsh (LSG), Josh Hazlewood, Tim David (RCB), Marcus Stoinis, Mich Owen, Josh England, Aron Hardy, Jewier Bartlets (PBKS).

What is the latest update about IPL 2025?

The IPL 2025 was postponed from the 59th match while the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match was stopped in the middle which could be played back. There are still 13 matches left for league stage. The BCCI held a meeting on Sunday and it was considered to start it as soon as possible but the final decision has not been taken yet. The final does not go too far, so the plan to start it as soon as possible is making BCCI and its new schedule can be announced as soon as possible.