Two major Australian fast bowlers, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, will miss the early part of IPL 2026. Their absence is mainly due to injury concerns and workload management as Australia prepares for a busy international schedule.
At the same time, several Australian players are also closely monitoring security developments in Pakistan ahead of the Pakistan Super League.
Josh Hazlewood’s Injury and Return Timeline
Josh Hazlewood is currently recovering from hamstring and Achilles tendon problems. Because of these injuries, he is not expected to play the first two matches of IPL 2026.
Cricket Australia is managing his recovery carefully to avoid further complications. Hazlewood has not played competitive cricket for about five months. His last match was a Sheffield Shield game for New South Wales against Victoria at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Despite the current injury setback, Hazlewood had an excellent IPL 2025 season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He played a key role in helping the team win their first IPL title.
Josh Hazlewood IPL 2025 Performance
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches | 12 |
| Wickets | 22 |
| Bowling Average | 17.54 |
| Economy Rate | 8.77 |
| Team | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
His pace and accuracy were crucial for RCB throughout the tournament.
Pat Cummins Ruled Out of SRH’s Opening Match
Pat Cummins is also unavailable at the start of IPL 2026 because of a back injury. He will miss at least the opening match for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
SRH will begin their campaign against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Since Cummins’ recovery timeline is still uncertain, the team may rely on another player to lead the side in the early matches. Reports suggest Ishan Kishan could take on the captaincy responsibilities temporarily if needed.
Cummins has been a regular performer in the IPL over the years.
Also See : Mohammed Shami’s India Comeback Could Depend on His IPL 2026 Performance
Pat Cummins IPL Career Stats
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Total IPL Matches | 72 |
| Total Wickets | 79 |
| Wickets for SRH (last two seasons) | 34 in 30 matches |
His absence could impact SRH’s bowling attack at the beginning of the tournament.
Australia Managing Workload for Busy International Calendar
Cricket Australia is closely monitoring the fitness of its fast bowlers because the national team has a demanding schedule ahead.
In the next 18 months, Australia is expected to play 26 Test matches along with an ODI World Cup. The upcoming schedule begins with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh in August.
Because of this packed calendar, the board is taking a cautious approach with players like Hazlewood and Cummins to avoid long-term injuries.
Australian Players Watching PSL Security Situation
Apart from the IPL developments, Australian players and coaches are also paying attention to security conditions in Pakistan ahead of the Pakistan Super League.
The PSL is scheduled to start two days before the IPL, which means several international players may travel between the two tournaments.
Some of the major Australian players linked with PSL teams include:
| Australian Players Linked with PSL |
|---|
| Steve Smith |
| David Warner |
| Marnus Labuschagne |
| Glenn Maxwell |
| Tim Paine |
| Jason Gillespie |
Players have reportedly been briefed about regional flight disruptions and border tensions in the region.
One particular match scheduled for March 28 between Peshawar and Rawalpindi has raised concerns because Peshawar is currently classified as a no-travel zone by the Australian government.
Aaron Hardie is currently the only Australian player not connected with teams involved in that match.
Emergency Safety Plans Discussed
Some Australian players are still expected to travel to Pakistan for the PSL this weekend. To improve safety, the Pakistan Cricket Board has reportedly discussed special emergency measures.
One of the options under consideration is arranging a private jet to evacuate international players if the security situation worsens during the tournament.
The absence of Hazlewood and Cummins at the start of IPL 2026 will affect both Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
While both teams still have strong squads, losing experienced fast bowlers could influence team combinations in the opening matches.
Fans will now wait to see when both Australian stars recover fully and return to action later in the IPL season.
