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When Lungi Ngidi Filled Josh Hazlewood’s Massive Void For RCB In IPL 2025

Jatin

Lungi Ngidi and Josh Hazlewood [Source: @RCBTweets, @ImTanujSingh/x.com]Lungi Ngidi and Josh Hazlewood [Source: @RCBTweets, @ImTanujSingh/x.com]

South Africa are flying high after sealing the ODI series against Australia in Mackay, thanks to Lungi Ngidi’s fiery five-wicket haul. The pacer ripped through the Aussies with figures of 5/42 to give his side an 84-run win and an unassailable 2-0 lead.

While Ngidi is making waves in national colours now, RCB fans remember how he stepped up earlier this year in the IPL when Josh Hazlewood was sidelined.

Hazlewood’s Injury Opened The Door

Royal Challengers Bengaluru suffered a big blow ahead of their clash against Chennai Super Kings on May 3. Hazlewood picked up a shoulder niggle that ruled him out of the fixture and left his availability in doubt for the games ahead. With their strike bowler missing, RCB had to look at their bench. Enter Ngidi, who was picked up for INR 1 crore at the IPL 2025 auction.

Thrown straight into the fire against CSK, Ngidi rose to the challenge. RCB posted a mammoth 213/5 with Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli and Romario Shepherd all firing half-centuries.

In reply, CSK looked dangerous, but Ngidi held his nerve. His 3/30 in four overs proved the difference as Bengaluru scraped home by just 2 runs. It was a proper clutch performance, the kind that earns you instant respect in the dressing room.

Second Outing Against SRH

Ngidi’s next chance came on May 23 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. This time it wasn’t as rosy. SRH piled on 231/6 and while Ngidi picked up a wicket, he went for 51 in his four overs. RCB’s batting fell short at 189, losing by 42 runs. But even in defeat, Ngidi’s willingness to shoulder responsibility stood out.

Stepping Into Hazlewood’s Shoes

In just two matches, Lungi Ngidi finished with 4 wickets at an average of 20.25 and an economy of 10.12. The numbers might not jump off the page, but the context mattered. He filled the big boots of Hazlewood at a crucial stage of the season and gave RCB the cushion they needed.

Before the playoffs, though, Ngidi had to leave for national duty ahead of the World Test Championship final. RCB drafted in Blessing Muzarabani as his replacement. But for the fans, those two games showed that Ngidi could be relied upon when the team needed him most.

Ngidi’s short stint with RCB highlighted exactly what he offers: heart hustle and the ability to deliver under pressure. Josh Hazlewood’s absence could easily have derailed RCB’s campaign but Ngidi kept them afloat with that game-changing spell against CSK. As he continues to shine for South Africa, RCB loyalists won’t forget the time when he carried the pace attack on his shoulders.