With IPL 2026 just eleven days away, the tournament is already grappling with a fitness crisis that threatens to reshape the opening weeks of the season. A cluster of high-profile overseas players led by Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Josh Hazlewood and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Pat Cummins are in a race against time to be available for their respective franchises, and early indications suggest both could miss the first few fixtures.
Hazlewood’s Prolonged Absence
For RCB, the concern around Hazlewood is significant. The Australian fast bowler’s last competitive outing was for New South Wales in November 2025 a gap of nearly four months as of the start of the IPL. He was unavailable for both the Ashes series and the T20 World Cup 2026, during which India lifted the trophy, and has been managing a fitness issue that has kept him off Cricket Australia’s list of available players.
The timing could hardly be worse. Hazlewood was arguably the standout performer in RCB’s maiden IPL title triumph last season, claiming 22 wickets from just 12 matches at an average of 17.54. Across his IPL career, he has taken 57 wickets in 39 matches at 20.98 numbers that place him among the most effective pace bowlers the tournament has seen.
A source familiar with the situation has indicated that Hazlewood is expected to be sidelined for approximately two weeks from the start of the tournament, though an official timeline has not been confirmed. If that holds, New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy or Sri Lankan speedster Nuwan Thushara could be called upon to carry the new ball in his absence. RCB’s title defence, in other words, may begin without their most potent weapon.
Cummins and SRH’s Leadership Vacuum
At SRH, the situation mirrors RCB’s predicament. Pat Cummins, who led SRH to the IPL 2024 final with an aggressive brand of captaincy, last played international cricket in December 2025 against England at the Adelaide Oval. He too missed the T20 World Cup 2026 and has been on a gradual return path from a lumbar stress injury. His availability for SRH’s March 28 opener against RCB in Bengaluru remains doubtful, and as reported earlier this week, the franchise is leaning towards naming Ishan Kishan as interim captain. Cummins has claimed 79 wickets across his IPL career. His absence, even briefly, creates a leadership and bowling void that is not straightforward to fill.
The Wider Picture: KKR and Beyond
The injury concerns are not confined to these two franchises. As reported earlier, Kolkata Knight Riders have confirmed the absence of Harshit Rana for a significant portion of the tournament following an injury sustained at the T20 World Cup warm-up. Matheesha Pathirana, the Sri Lankan pace sensation purchased by KKR for a substantial ₹18 crore at auction, is also not fully fit and may miss several of the franchise’s early matches. Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga remains doubtful after picking up a hamstring injury during the T20 World Cup, adding further uncertainty for LSG which he represents.
The cascade of fitness issues heading into IPL 2026 raises a broader question about the demands placed on international cricketers in an era of relentless scheduling. With the T20 World Cup, the Ashes, and now IPL following in quick succession, player bodies are paying the price for a calendar that leaves little room for recovery.
For fans, the hope is that the season when it eventually settles into its rhythm remains as compelling as ever. But the opening chapter, it appears, will need to be written without some of its biggest names.
