Why Josh Hazlewood Is Trending in India: Wanderers ODI Selection, 300 Test Wickets and RCB Fame

Why Josh Hazlewood is trending in India

Indian cricket fans have been searching for josh hazlewood in large numbers since late September 2026. Google Trends data observed on 27 September 2026 shows approximately 2,000 searches and a 1,000% growth spike for the term over the past 24 hours. Three factors explain the interest: his retention in Australia's playing XI for the second ODI against South Africa, his recent entry into the 300-Test-wicket club, and his high-profile association with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL.

Retained for the second ODI at the Wanderers

According to a cricket.com.au report dated 27 September 2026, Hazlewood kept his place in Australia's XI for the second ODI against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. He was not a fresh recall: he had featured in the series-opening 67-run defeat in Durban, while Mitchell Starc was rotated out and Pat Cummins was kept on ice with the upcoming Tests in mind. Swing bowler Xavier Bartlett came in as captain Mitchell Marsh chose to field at the toss. The result of this second ODI is not covered in the available sources, so no scoreline or bowling figures for Hazlewood from that match can be stated here.

300 Test wickets and a T20 World Cup absence

Hazlewood's career landmarks add to the buzz. His career record shows that during the first Test against Bangladesh in August 2026, he reached 300 career Test wickets, becoming the ninth Australian bowler to the landmark, with 303 wickets at an average of 24.00 as of 27 September 2026. He was, however, ruled out of the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup after failing to recover from a knee injury in time. A right-arm fast-medium bowler from Tamworth, he has long been compared to Glenn McGrath for his accuracy.

The RCB connection that resonates in India

For Indian audiences, Hazlewood's IPL story is a major draw. Bought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹7.75 crore in the 2022 mega auction, he played a crucial role in RCB's maiden IPL title in 2025, ending the franchise's 18-year drought. In the final against Punjab Kings, he was tasked with defending 29 runs in the last over and conceded only 22, sealing a 6-run win; he finished as the team's top wicket-taker that season. He remained part of RCB's 2026 campaign, which the franchise won again to claim back-to-back trophies.

What the search spike actually tells us

The Google Trends India signal for josh hazlewood, observed on 27 September 2026, recorded roughly 2,000 searches and 1,000% growth in the past-24h window. Google itself notes that Trending Now counts are approximate search activity. This verifies search interest only — it does not confirm any match result, statistic or news claim. The spike reflects curiosity about his selection, his 300-wicket milestone and his IPL ties, rather than any verified on-field event in the second ODI.