- May 14, 2025
Losing Josh Hazlewood mid-season? That’s a huge loss. The Australian pacer has been an important part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, bringing control, speed, and important wickets. But, with reports suggesting that Hazlewood might not be coming back for the rest of IPL 2025, the big question is who can step up in Hazlewood’s absence?
The positive side is, RCB still has some exciting opportunities available. From experienced quicks to young guns with hunger in their belly, we have identified a small number of bowlers who could potentially fill the gap and may even offer something new to the attack. Let’s look at three fast bowlers who would fit well as a replacement for the rest of RCB’s campaign.
Adam Milne
Adam Milne
Next is Adam Milne, the New Zealand pacer known for two things: sheer pace and injury concerns. Milne’s IPL record isn’t much (7 wickets in 10 games at a 9.48 economy rate), but his potential to bowl consistently around 145 KPH makes him an interesting option. Milne’s speed can certainly unsettle batters, especially if he is bowling on surfaces like Chinnaswamy, where extra ‘zip’ off the deck is always valuable.
The risk? That economy rate. At 9.48, Milne has previously been expensive, and RCB cannot afford to have further expensive overs, particularly not at the powerplay and death. This is a high-risk, high-reward pick if RCB do go with Milne, but in truth, Milne has a high ceiling and could be fun if some luck goes his way in terms of injury.
William O’Rourke
William O’Rourke
If RCB is truly looking for a long-term investment with youthful exuberance, William O’Rourke is one to keep an eye on. The tall Kiwi quick is only in the infancy of his T20I career, but his capabilities thus far have been increasingly impressive. His economy is 7.15 in T20 international matches, but more than that, he provides control, bounce, and a good head on his shoulders. He played well throughout a tri-nation series against South Africa and Pakistan and managed to compare himself well against some of the best in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
For a franchise like RCB, which has historically been bad at death bowling, the confidence that O’Rourke has in being able to bowl in all three phases could be a very useful tool. O’Rourke is a wildcard pick. As a bonus, a tall pacer bowling and extracting bounce at Chinnaswamy could finally put the brakes on teams hitting sixes in the mid-overs with impunity.
Alzarri Joseph
Alzarri Joseph
Let’s give some room to an individual who has already donned the RCB red—Alzarri Joseph. The West Indian fast bowler has been in the IPL system for a little while and played for RCB last season. While his overall stats (21 wickets in 22 matches, an economy of 9.55) don’t exactly say “Hazlewood replacement,” the man has displayed some good glimmers.
Do you recall his first game in 2019? 6/12. The best (so far!!) figure by a bowler on IPL debut. If RCB is going to sign him again, we would like him to put that kind of fire back in. Joseph gives you the option to bowl with the new ball, predominantly good lengths and occasionally swinging a little.
Regardless of what this all ends up being, it is still going to be a fun ride for the second half of IPL 2025. So, who do you think should come in for Hazlewood? Let us know in the comments – this is too close to call!
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