Josh Hazlewood, the 35-year-old fast bowler for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has opened up about his struggles with injuries over the past five months, which began with a hamstring injury during a Sheffield Shield game in November 2022. His attempts to rush back to competitive cricket led to further complications, including an Achilles issue and a torn calf, causing him to miss significant tournaments like the Ashes and T20 World Cup. Hazlewood has now returned for IPL 2026, stressing the need for athletes, particularly those over 30, to respect their recovery timelines. He noted that he has worked hard to meet the intensity required for T20 matches, acknowledging the unique challenges of returning to play after a long layoff. Despite a shaky start against Rajasthan Royals, where he took two wickets but conceded 44 runs, Hazlewood rebounded with a strong performance against the Lucknow Super Giants, claiming 1 for 20. He also shared insights on the evolving dynamics of T20 cricket, suggesting that the pressure has shifted to batters, who are now expected to score heavily, thus taking some pressure off bowlers. Hazlewood values the diverse skill set of the RCB bowling attack and is eager to learn from his teammates to enhance his own game.