The issue of Josh Hazlewood IPL Priority is causing quite a stir in Australian cricket. Just a few days after winning the IPL 2025 trophy with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood struggled in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa. This contrasting performance has led to strong comments from former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson, who has “lashed out” (criticized strongly) at Hazlewood. Johnson believes Hazlewood “prioritized” (put first) the Indian Premier League over his national team, stating that this decision “raised eyebrows” (caused suspicion or concern).
Hazlewood, who is 34 years old, was one of RCB’s “standout bowlers” (best performers). He had rejoined the Bangalore-based franchise after the IPL was temporarily stopped due to a “border flare-up” (sudden conflict) between India and Pakistan. This happened even as some other Australian players decided not to return to India for the rest of the tournament. RCB went on to win their first-ever IPL trophy, defeating Punjab Kings in the final. Hazlewood played a key role, finishing the season with 22 wickets, including getting the dangerous opening batter Priyansh Arya out in the final.
The WTC Final Performance Contrast
However, the picture changed dramatically for Hazlewood when he played as a “vital cog” (an essential part) in the Australian “pace battery” (group of fast bowlers) during the WTC final at Lord’s. In that crucial match, which South Africa won by five wickets on Saturday, Hazlewood managed to take only two wickets. This performance, especially after his IPL success, brought the Josh Hazlewood IPL Priority into sharp focus.
Mitchell Johnson expressed his concerns clearly in an article for The West Australian newspaper. “We’ve seen concerns about Hazlewood’s fitness in recent years, and his decision to prioritise returning to the delayed Indian Premier League over his national team preparations raised eyebrows,” Johnson wrote. It’s worth noting that Johnson himself has played six IPL seasons for teams like Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), and Mumbai Indians.
Broader Concerns About Senior Players
Johnson didn’t stop at Hazlewood. He also “took aim at” (criticized) other senior players in the Australian team, including Mitchell Starc, captain Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon, among others. He suggested that if their main goal was to “prolong their send-offs” (continue playing until a farewell series) only until after the Ashes series, then it was a “wrong mindset.” The Ashes is a historic and highly important Test series between Australia and England.
Johnson stated, “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.” He implied that these players shouldn’t be guaranteed a spot just based on past performance. “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 added, emphasizing the need for new talent. Johnson himself has a remarkable record of more than 550 wickets in international cricket.
The Call for New Talent
Johnson strongly argued that younger players like Sam Konstas, Josh Inglis, and even the 36-year-old pacer Scott Boland are “desperate to perform for the country” but aren’t finding a place in the national side. He believes these “players on the fringe” (on the edge of selection) have a “different mentality” – they are “eager to prove themselves every time they get a chance.”
While Johnson clarified he wasn’t being “overly critical of an ageing team which has achieved plenty together,” he still pushed for fresh faces. He acknowledged that “established players including the senior bowling quartet, Usman Khawaja, (Steve) Smith and (Marnus) Labuschagne have achieved some great things.” However, he stressed that the upcoming Test series against the West Indies was the right opportunity to give “deserving players an opportunity to showcase their talent.” This brings the Josh Hazlewood IPL Priority into a wider conversation about team future.
Opportunities and Batting Order Concerns
Johnson believes that Steve Smith’s recent finger injury might even have a “silver lining” (a positive side to a negative situation) as it could “prompt some regeneration” (encourage the team to bring in new players).
He also touched upon batting concerns. “Finding a specialist No. 3 is crucial,” he argued. Given Marnus Labuschagne’s form over the past 18 months, Johnson finds it “hard to justify moving him back into that position.” While he admitted that “trying to make changes in all top-three batting slots at once would indeed be risky,” he doesn’t think the selectors will take that path. He specifically mentioned that “Konstas looms as a solid option for the pitches in the West Indies, especially with an experienced player in Khawaja alongside him.”
The debate around Josh Hazlewood IPL Priority thus becomes a broader discussion about player availability, fitness management, the balance between club and country commitments, and the strategic direction of Australian cricket as they look to maintain their dominance while preparing for the future.
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