IPL 2023: Royal Challengers Bangalore likely to miss top stars for campaign opener against Mumbai Indians

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Bengaluru, March 30: The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are likely to miss two top overseas stars for their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 campaign opener against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Sunday (April 2).

According to reports, Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is set to miss the initial stages of IPL 2023 beginning in Ahmedabad on Friday (March 31), while his compatriot Glenn Maxwell may also sit out of the opening match.

According to a report in cricket.com.au, Hazlewood, who has been out of action since the start of the year due to injury, is hopeful of playing a part in the later stages of the T20 tournament.

The 32-year-old is currently recovering from an Achilles problem which kept him out of last month's Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India. Hazlewood will consult Cricket Australia's medical staff before deciding on his participation in the IPL, the report said.

In another big development, all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who missed Australia's final two ODIs against India earlier this month, is also doubtful for RCB's opening game against MI on April 2 in Bengaluru as he is yet to recover from a leg injury.

Australia national selector George Bailey said Maxwell, who broke his leg in a freak accident last November, found the comeback to One Day Internationals "more demanding than he had expected".

RCB will also be without the services of another overseas star in the form of leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who is on national duty for Sri Lanka in their tour of New Zealand.

Hasaranga, who was RCB's highest wicket-taker last season, is likely to miss at least the first two matches of the season as the SL tour of New Zealand finishes only on April 8.

RCB had earlier suffered a blow when their biggest buy in the 2023 auction, England all-rounder Will Jacks was ruled out of the tournament due to injury. However, they roped in New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell as his replacement for the season.

The Bengaluru-based side may also be without batter Rajat Patidar for the opener, as per reports. So, how will RCB line up for the opener against MI at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium this weekend?

England pacer Reece Topley, who has not featured for the national side or any other team since the ILT20, is likely to fill in for Hazlewood, while Bracewell may play in place of Maxwell. There is also the option to use David Willey in the line up.

Either Karn Sharma or Himanshu Sharma, who are both leg-spinners, may come in as replacement for Hasaranga. New Zealand batter Finn Allen may also get a look in if Patidar is not fit to start.

RCB possible XI vs MI on April 2

Faf Du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar/Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Karn Sharma/Himanshu Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Reece Topley/David Willey.