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Kohli's Old Rival And? 3 Potential Replacement For Injured Hazlewood In RCB's IPL 2025 Squad

Anurag Dasgupta

3 Potential Hazlewood replacements [Source: AP Photo] 3 Potential Hazlewood replacements [Source: AP Photo]

Right before the re-start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru suffered an injury update with star pacer, Josh Hazlewood unlikely to take part in the remainder of the tournament due to a shoulder niggle and this comes in as a big blow to the franchise.

The Aussie pacer missed the last match against Chennai Super Kings, but was on the right path to recover. However, if he misses out on the remainder of IPL, here are his 3 replacements in the squad.

1) Naveen-ul-Haq

The old rival of RCB great, Virat Kohli, Naveen-ul-Haq will be an interesting choice to replace injured Josh Hazlewood in the squad. The Afghan seamer went unsold in the mega auction last year but he does have IPL experience, having played for Lucknow Super Giants.

Criterion
Data
Matches18
Dismissals
25
Average
23.64
Economy9.16

(Naveen-ul-Haq stats in IPL)

The Chinnaswamy Stadium is a batting paradise and Naveen is known for bowling excellent cutters, something which he could use to trouble the batters with his change off pace deliveries.

2) Mustafizur Rahman

The Bangladesh pacer went unsold in the IPL auction, but if given a chance, RCB should snap Mustafizur Rahman to replace Hazlewood. Just like Naveen, Mustafiz has similar traits and has been brilliant in the IPL in past.

Criterion
Data
Matches38
Dismissals
38
Average
29.50
Economy7.84

(Mustafiz IPL stats)

He has 38 wickets to his name in the league, but interestingly he only gives runs at 7.84 runs per over. Moreover, the Bangladesh pacer has a brilliant yorker in his arsenal, something which he could use in death overs in IPL.

3) Adam Milne

An X-factor choice to replace Josh Hazlewood, if the pacer gets ruled out. Adam Milne, unlike Mustafiz and Naveen has the pace to trouble the best in the business and can easily clock 145 km/h. Over the years, he has improved as a T20 bowler and if RCB needs someone with out and out pace, then the Kiwi bowler could be a smart choice.