The aftermath of Australia's defeat to South Africa in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final continues to spark debate, with veteran fast bowler Josh Hazlewood facing scrutiny for his decision to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) ahead of the crucial Test match. Former Australian cricketer Mitchell Johnson has publicly questioned Hazlewood's commitment, suggesting that prioritizing the lucrative T20 league over national team preparations may have contributed to Australia's underwhelming performance.
Hazlewood, a key member of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), played a significant role in the team's maiden IPL title victory in 2025. He rejoined the RCB squad for the final phase of the tournament, even amid concerns about his fitness. This decision, according to Johnson, "raised eyebrows," especially considering the looming WTC final.
In his column for the West Australian, Johnson wrote, "We've seen concerns about Hazlewood's fitness in recent years, and his decision to prioritize returning to the delayed Indian Premier League over his national team preparations raised eyebrows." He further implied that Hazlewood's performance in the WTC final, where he took 2 wickets for 85 runs in 34 overs, might have been affected by his IPL stint.
Hazlewood's return to the IPL was particularly notable because the tournament had been temporarily suspended due to geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. While some Australian players chose not to return to India after the resumption, Hazlewood opted to rejoin the RCB squad.
Johnson didn't stop at questioning Hazlewood's commitment. He also hinted that the veteran's place in the 'big four' bowling attack, including Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon, should not be taken for granted. He emphasized the need to look toward the future and build confidence in selecting the next generation of Test players. "Our successful 'big four' bowling attack of Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon can't be taken for granted as a lock going forward either. If veteran players are sticking around just for the Ashes as a send-off, it does beg the question of whether that's the right mindset. It's crucial that we embrace the future and build confidence in selecting our next Test players," Johnson stated.
Despite the criticism, it's important to acknowledge Hazlewood's contributions to Australian cricket. He has been a consistent performer in all formats of the game and played a vital role in Australia's triumphs in the 2015 Cricket World Cup, the 2021 T20 World Cup, and the 2023 Cricket World Cup. He was also part of the team that won the previous WTC final in 2023.
However, the debate surrounding Hazlewood's decision highlights the growing tension between international cricket and franchise leagues like the IPL. With players increasingly drawn to the financial rewards and shorter formats of T20 cricket, national boards face the challenge of ensuring that their players prioritize national duties.
The WTC final loss was the fourth time Australia ended up as runners-up in an ICC final. South Africa chased down the target of 282 runs, with Aiden Markram's 136 and Temba Bavuma's 66 leading the way. This defeat has undoubtedly intensified the scrutiny on team selection and player priorities, with Hazlewood's case serving as a focal point for the discussion.
