‘His decision to prioritize IPL over national team raised eyebrows’: Mitchell Johnson slams Josh Hazlewood after WTC defeat

Australia's Josh Hazlewood reacts after bowling a delivery on day three of the World Test Championship final between South Africa and Australia at Lord's cricket ground in London, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Former Australian player Mitchell Johnson slammed pacer Josh Hazlewood, saying that him prioritizing the Indian Premier League (IPL) over the World Test Championship final vs South Africa, which the Aussies lost by 5 wickets, raised eyebrows. Hazlewood, who took 22 wickets for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, helping them lift their maiden IPL trophy had returned to Australia after the IPL was suspended due to the India Pakistan border tension. However, he chose to rejoin them after the IPL restarted while a lot of his national compatriots decided against returning to India.

“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,” wrote Johnson in the West Australian.

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