2 seasoned pacers could be playing their final IPL seasons under RCB’s new captain. With advancing ages, fitness concerns, and shifting priorities towards their respective national teams, their future in the IPL and with RCB remains uncertain for 2025 and beyond.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the experienced Indian pacer, finds himself at a pivotal point in his career. At 35, with his 36th birthday approaching before IPL 2026, his cricketing journey is entering its twilight phase.
His vast experience, built over years of international cricket and IPL seasons, remains an asset. However, the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket makes age a potential disadvantage, particularly for a fast bowler. In the 2024 IPL season, while flashes of his former brilliance were evident, consistency has been a concern.
Known for his ability to swing the new ball and execute yorkers at the death, the key question is whether Kumar can maintain his effectiveness as he nears his mid-thirties. The Indian team’s T20I plans will play a big role in determining his IPL future. His exclusion from recent T20I squads suggests the selectors may be moving on, which could impact his IPL prospects as well.
Fitness is another pressing concern for the aging bowler. Kumar has struggled with injuries in recent years, which have affected both his consistency and availability. The rigorous IPL schedule, with its back-to-back matches and extensive travel, will test his ability to stay fit, potentially determining his future in the league.
With Rajat Patidar taking over as RCB’s new captain, team dynamics will shift. How Kumar fits into Patidar’s plans will be key. Will the captain lean on Kumar’s experience, or opt to develop younger players? The answer could heavily impact Kumar’s role and future with RCB.
Given these factors, IPL 2025 might be Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s final season with RCB—and possibly his last in the IPL altogether. It presents a chance for the veteran to make a lasting contribution, passing on his wisdom to the next generation of pacers while still playing an influential role on the field.
Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood, the Australian fast bowling star, is in a similar situation to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. At 34, with his 35th birthday approaching before IPL 2026, Hazlewood finds himself at a crossroads in his career, where many cricketers start to prioritize specific formats.
Primarily known for his Test prowess, Hazlewood’s recent involvement in T20 cricket, including the IPL, has been noteworthy. His ability to adapt his Test skills to T20s has surprised many, and in the 2024 IPL, he impressed with his accuracy and variations. However, the physical demands of T20 cricket on a fast bowler in his mid-thirties cannot be overlooked.
As a key member of Australia’s Test team, Hazlewood’s priority has always been the longest format. With a packed Test schedule, he may start to focus more on this format in the coming years. Given the Australian cricket board’s careful management of player workloads, Hazlewood’s participation in franchise T20 leagues, including the IPL, could decrease.
Although he was part of Australia’s T20 World Cup-winning squad, Hazlewood’s role in the national T20 team is not as secure as in Tests. As he nears his mid-thirties, the selectors might look to develop younger talents for T20s, possibly leading Hazlewood to prioritize Test cricket and step away from the IPL after the 2025 season.
For RCB, managing the foreign player quota is a constant challenge, with the franchise possibly looking to refresh their overseas lineup. Hazlewood’s place in the team could be reassessed depending on the evolving needs and availability of other international players. This may influence whether IPL 2025 becomes his final season with RCB.