Hazlewood set to miss at least seven matches of IPL 2023

Royal Challengers Bangalore fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is set to miss at least the first seven games* of the IPL beginning in Ahmedabad on Friday. He is expected to link up with the squad on April 14 but would take another week to be match-fit.

"Everything is ticking along according to plan, so I'll be heading over on the 14th (of April) depending on how the next two weeks go," Hazlewood was quoted as saying by The Age. "I probably won't be quite ready to go right then, but (after) another week in India to touch things up skills wise I should be ready to go hopefully."

According to cricket.com.au, Hazlewood will remain in Sydney having been sent back home after missing Australia's four-match Test series in India, and will consult with Cricket Australia's medical staff before joining the IPL. The report also added that he "remains hopeful" of turning out for Royal Challengers later in the tournament.

Hazlewood was sent back from the Test tour of India due to Achilles tendonitis that had plagued him for two months, which came after he damaged his side in the first Test of Australia's home summer in early December 2022 and missed the next three Test matches. He subsequently missed the ODIs against India as well. He last played for Australia in the third Test against South Africa in January. His fitness will be monitored closely given Australia have the World Test Championship final and the Ashes coming up immediately after the IPL ends on May 28.

Hazlewood, who was picked by Royal Challengers at the 2022 mega auction for INR 7.75 crore, took 20 wickets in the 12 matches he played last season, finishing as the side's second-highest wicket-taker.

Royal Challengers have suffered a spate of injuries even before the season has begun. Earlier, England batter Will Jacks was ruled out of the season, with New Zealand allrounder Michael Bracewell named his replacement. Rajat Patidar, who was the team's breakout star last season, is set to miss at least the first half of the season with a heel injury.

Royal Challengers open their campaign against Mumbai Indians on April 2 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.