IPL 2026: RCB and SRH to Begin Season Without Hazlewood and Cummins. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 opener. Both teams will play their key Australian fast bowlers in early matches. Josh Hazlewood is likely to miss RCB’s first two matches this season. He continues his rehabilitation from hamstring and Achilles injuries. These injuries earlier ruled him out of the Ashes and the T20 World Cup.
Hazlewood was signed by RCB for INR 12.5 crore in the auction. He remains a vital part of their bowling attack. Reports suggest he may miss matches against SRH and Chennai Super Kings. Sunrisers Hyderabad will also face a similar concern before the opener. Captain Pat Cummins is unlikely to play in the first few matches. He is currently recovering and managing workload issues. Cummins was retained by SRH for INR 18 crore ahead of the season. He had limited appearances during the recent international assignments. The team management is cautious about rushing him back into action.
Also Read: IPL 2026: Pat Cummins Likely to Miss Early Matches, Abhishek Sharma Set to Lead SRH
Teams Face Early Setback
Both absences are significant setbacks for their respective teams. Hazlewood has been RCB’s pace leader in recent seasons. Cummins plays a dual role as SRH’s captain and strike bowler. However, RCB have reasons to stay confident this season. They won the IPL title last year despite Hazlewood missing several matches. This highlights their improved squad depth and balance.
SRH may need to adjust their leadership in Cummins’ absence. Senior Indian players are expected to take more responsibility. The team will look to maintain stability during early fixtures. Experts have suggested backup options for both franchises. Romario Shepherd could play a key role for RCB in early matches. His all-round skills provide balance to the playing eleven.
Abhishek Sharma can take on an expanded role for SRH because he has shown his ability. The player currently demonstrates his best performance through aggressive batting. His presence can help maintain team momentum early in the tournament.
Also Read: Full List Of RCB Coaching And Support Staff For IPL 2026
The return of both Hazlewood and Cummins will take place during the upcoming part of the season. Their comeback will significantly strengthen their teams. The IPL 2026 season will begin with its first phase, which will test the squad’s depth until that point.