Josh Hazlewood Bought by RCB for ₹12.50 Crore in IPL 2025 Auction

Australia’s star pacer Josh Hazlewood has secured a lucrative deal with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for ₹12.50 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. Hazlewood, who had set his base price at ₹2 crore, sparked an intense bidding war between franchises like Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and Mumbai Indians (MI) before RCB eventually won the battle.

Hazlewood, widely regarded as one of the best pacers in world cricket, had a mixed IPL journey so far. Making his debut in 2020 with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he managed only 1 wicket in 3 games that season. However, his breakout IPL performance came in 2022 when he picked up 20 wickets in 12 games for RCB, proving his mettle as a key death-over specialist.

In 2023, Hazlewood’s campaign was cut short due to injuries, limiting him to just 3 games where he took 3 wickets. He also went unsold in the 2024 auction and missed the season, making his comeback in 2025 even more significant.

RCB, looking to bolster their bowling attack, placed a record-breaking bid, recognizing Hazlewood’s ability to perform under pressure in both powerplay and death overs. Speaking after the auction, Hazlewood expressed his excitement:
"I’m thrilled to return to RCB. This team has always supported me, and I’m eager to repay their faith by delivering standout performances this season."

The signing of Hazlewood strengthens RCB’s bowling lineup, making them serious contenders for IPL 2025. With his proven track record in T20 cricket and vast international experience, Hazlewood is expected to play a pivotal role in their campaign.