Observing Josh Hazlewood’s training sessions is akin to receiving a tutorial on simplicity. His workouts are concise and efficient, centered on maintaining a smooth flow and accuracy – pushing his capabilities to the limit while delivering a consistent stream of deliveries.
Hazlewood has been a valuable asset for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), making his mark with 20 wickets during their run to Qualifier 2 in IPL 2022. However, injuries hindered his performance in IPL 2023 and RCB was hoping to retain him for IPL 2024. Unfortunately, he had to opt out due to the upcoming birth of his child, resulting in a need to adjust their bowling strategy.
Despite the efforts of a struggling Mohammed Siraj, a still-adjusting Yash Dayal, inconsistent appearances from Akash Deep and Reece Topley, and costly performances by Lockie Ferguson, RCB ended with one of the lowest numbers of powerplay wickets taken by pace bowlers.
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Fast forward to 2025, and Hazlewood’s comeback has had a monumental impact. His purchase for INR 12.5 crore has played a significant role in RCB boasting a powerplay bowling average of 26.28, ranking behind only Gujarat Titans (GT) and Delhi Capitals (DC).
On the journey, Hazlewood has also benefitted from drawing on the experience of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Together, they have established a formidable opening partnership, causing difficulties for opposing hitters with their precise aim and clever tactics.
The reason Hazlewood poses a challenge for batsmen is his high release point, which consistently produces a bounce, regardless of the length of his bowl. Throughout RCB’s three victories, Hazlewood has made a significant impact during the powerplay. His ability to quickly adjust to the conditions has been key to his success so far. On pitches with significant bounce and carry, such as Eden Gardens and Chepauk, he has displayed mastery in hitting the deck. Among bowlers who have delivered multiple overs during the powerplay this season, his dot-ball percentage of 72.92 is the highest.
In the first match against KKR, he caused problems for Quinton de Kock by consistently delivering rising balls. This resulted in de Kock top-edging a shot that was higher than anticipated. In the second match against CSK, he successfully took down both Rahul Tripathi and Ruturaj Gaikwad in just five deliveries. Additionally, he managed to bowl nine dot balls, which led to RCB breaking a 17-year curse at the stadium.
In their match against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Monday evening, Hazlewood’s early wicket of Ryan Rickelton was soon followed by a series of six dot balls to Suryakumar Yadav, effectively creating pressure in a high-scoring chase. Hazlewood’s tactics were particularly effective on bouncy surfaces like Wankhede, but it proved to be a risky move as Hardik Pandya later demonstrated in the death overs with his varied shots around the ground.
In the 14th over, Hazlewood allowed 22 runs. However, he cleverly utilized the crease and angles to restrict Hardik’s movements and was able to take him out with his first ball in the 19th over. This final over only yielded nine runs, ultimately delivering a decisive blow to MI.
Hazlewood’s toughest test lies ahead. He has only had one home game, facing conditions that have given top-notch fast bowlers a tough time. In his most successful season with RCB, which was in 2022, he did not have the chance to play at home due to Covid-related limitations and had to compete entirely in Mumbai. However, the Chinnaswamy pitch has been different from its usual form where batsmen have typically feasted on runs, as seen last year.
Hazlewood started off strong in RCB’s first home game against GT, only giving up one boundary in his first nine deliveries. However, Sai Sudharsan disrupted his rhythm by attempting a ramp shot instead of attacking him squarely.
After being treated with disdain by Jos Buttler, the situation turned into an unending nightmare. He effortlessly reverse-ramped for six, and then positioned himself to hit a length ball over deep midwicket. As Sherfane Rutherford flicked him to the leg-side boundary for the final victory, it became clear that Hazlewood had exhausted all his resources.
Hazlewood’s recent spell (3.5-0-43-1) may not have been cheap, but it provided him with valuable lessons. Tomorrow, he will head back to the Chinnaswamy Stadium to face DC, armed with confidence and energy from his impressive performances so far this season. His aim is to replicate his success on away games and give RCB a boost in their home match.
