Hazlewood, Cummins and Pathirana all set to miss IPL 2026 opening matches
With the season opener 11 days away, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Kolkata Knight Riders are all dealing with the same headache: their marquee fast bowlers are not ready.
Hazlewood targeting mid-April return for RCB
Josh Hazlewood has been battling injuries since before the 2025-26 Ashes. A hamstring problem kept him out of that series entirely, and an Achilles issue cropped up during his recovery. He missed the T20 World Cup in February and is still working his way back to full fitness. RCB expect him to be available around April 10-11, which means he could miss three or four matches. Jacob Duffy is likely to lead the pace attack in the meantime.
Hazlewood still needs clearance from Cricket Australia's medical staff before he can fly to India. That process has not been rubber-stamped yet.
Cummins' back injury opens the door for Kishan as SRH captain
Pat Cummins has been managing a lumbar bone stress injury since before the Ashes. He returned to play the Third Test in Adelaide in December 2025, taking six wickets, before being ruled out for the remainder of the series. He is still rehabilitating ahead of IPL 2026. Cricket Australia's medical team holds the final say on when he returns, and SRH have not put a date on it.
In his absence, Ishan Kishan has emerged as the frontrunner to captain SRH. Kishan impressed during India's T20 World Cup campaign and has backing within the franchise as a leadership option, with Abhishek Sharma also in the frame as a potential deputy.
Pathirana rehabilitating in Sri Lanka
Matheesha Pathirana picked up a calf strain during the T20 World Cup in February. He is in Sri Lanka working through his rehab with Sri Lanka Cricket's support staff. KKR have opted not to sign a replacement, a decision that suggests they expect him back at some point during the group stage.
His manager recently posted a picture of Pathirana in KKR colours, hinting that the franchise is keeping a spot warm. But there is no confirmed return date, and KKR already lost Harshit Rana to a knee injury in February.
What it means for the opening week
RCB face SRH in the season opener on March 28. Neither team will have their first-choice overseas quick available. KKR play Mumbai Indians the following day, and they will be without both Pathirana and Rana from their pace stocks. These three franchises spent heavily on pace options at the auction, and they are getting an early test of their depth.
