Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will be commencing on March 28 as they will take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the third game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season. A lot of changes have been made in the RCB squad post the IPL 2021 season. Virat Kohli stepped down as captain whereas AB de Villiers has called it quits from all forms of the game. They retained Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Mohammed Siraj ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction.
Apart from the pre-auction retentions, RCB had roped in top players at the mega auction. They signed two former CSK players including the likes of Faf du Plessis and Josh Hazlewood. Faf has also been appointed as the captain of the RCB earlier this month. Meanwhile, RCB was dealt with a big blow as two Australian players are set to miss the first few games of the IPL.
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The likes of Glenn Maxwell and Josh Hazlewood are set to miss a couple of initial games for Royal Challengers Bangalore. This is indeed a big blow for the franchise. According to ESPNCricinfo, Maxwell is set to miss at least the first 2 games of the upcoming season. On the other hand, pacer Josh Hazlewood is set to miss the first 3 matches for RCB in this IPL 2022.
"Glenn Maxwell will miss at least first 2 Matches and Josh Hazlewood is set to miss the first 3 matches for RCB in this IPL 2022." – According to ESPNcricinfo
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) March 24, 2022
RCB retained Glenn Maxwell for ₹11 crores ahead of the auction. He witnessed a phenomenal outing in the last season as he had amassed 513 runs in 15 games at an average of 42.75 including six half-centuries. Maxwell will be missing the first couple of games due to his wedding. On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore roped in seamer Josh Hazlewood for ₹7.75 crores at the IPL 2022 auctions in Bengaluru.
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Josh Hazlewood’s unavailability is subject to their selection for the limited-overs series against Pakistan. Australia and Pakistan are busy playing the third and final Test match in Lahore. The three ODIs will be played on March 29, March 31, and April 2 respectively. The solitary T20I will kick off on April 5. On the other hand, RCB will take on KKR in their second game on March 30. RCB will take on Rajasthan Royals in their third game on April 5.
