Josh Hazlewood Compares RCB to Australia: Inside the Bowling Partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The Australian Standard: Why Hazlewood Sees National Team Quality in RCB

Veteran Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has been a cornerstone of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bowling attack since his return to the franchise. The 35-year-old New South Wales native, who boasts an illustrious career including 76 Test matches, has found a unique rhythm in Bengaluru. Ahead of the high-stakes encounter against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamsala, Hazlewood offered a significant compliment to the franchise, comparing the team’s structure to that of the Australian national side.

According to Hazlewood, the current RCB roster mirrors the elite environment of the Australian dressing room, where tactical flexibility and a wide array of skill sets are the norms. “It feels like Australia, where each and every base seems covered,” Hazlewood remarked. “Players with different skills and styles make it harder for the opposition.” This level of depth was instrumental in RCB’s successful title run in 2025 and remains the backbone of their defense in the 2026 season.

The Dynamic Duo: Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar

A primary factor in RCB’s dominance over the past two years has been the lethal opening partnership between Hazlewood and Indian swing maestro Bhuvneshwar Kumar. While Kumar is currently leading the wicket-taking charts with 22 scalps, Hazlewood has proven to be the ideal tactical foil, picking up 11 wickets while maintaining immense pressure from the other end.

Hazlewood compared the experience of bowling alongside Bhuvneshwar to his time with world-class teammates back home. “It is like bowling with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc,” Hazlewood explained. He highlighted the technical synergy between their styles, noting that while Bhuvneshwar focuses on swing and pitching the ball up to find the edge, Hazlewood relies on his signature ability to hit the seam and extract extra bounce. This ‘fire and ice’ combination has stifled top-order batters across the league, providing RCB with a consistent advantage during the powerplay overs.

A Comprehensive Bowling Unit Under Rajat Patidar

Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, the RCB bowling department has evolved into a multi-faceted unit capable of performing in all phases of the game. It is no longer just about the marquee names; the supporting cast has stepped up significantly. Kiwi seamer Jacob Duffy has provided excellent coverage whenever called upon, while young Rasikh Salam Dar has emerged as a death-overs specialist. Dar’s ability to execute slower balls under pressure has been a revelation for the defending champions.

The spin department has been equally impressive, led by the experienced Krunal Pandya. At 35, Pandya has shown remarkable control, claiming 10 wickets so far this season. He has been well-supported by the youthful energy of Suyash Sharma, who has accounted for seven wickets. With Romario Shepherd also contributing six wickets, the RCB management has successfully built a squad where the workload is distributed, and no single player is over-burdened.

Reflecting on the 2026 Season: The Delhi Capitals Masterclass

As RCB stands just one win away from securing a guaranteed spot in the 2026 playoffs, Hazlewood took a moment to reflect on his favorite performance of the season. He pointed to the clash against the Delhi Capitals as a blueprint for how the team should operate under pressure. For the veteran pacer, that game represented the pinnacle of control and resilience.

“When things are going your way, like the game in Delhi where Bhuvi and myself were bowling good deliveries, you are in complete control,” Hazlewood recalled. However, he emphasized that professional satisfaction often comes from the struggle rather than the easy wins. “When you fight back after conceding plenty of runs in an over, with yorker length bowling and slower balls and end up with decent bowling figures, that makes me proud.”

The Road to the Playoffs

With the playoffs looming, the consistency of the Hazlewood-Bhuvneshwar tandem will be critical. RCB’s transition from a team often criticized for its bowling depth to a side compared to the Australian national team is a testament to their strategic recruitment since 2022. Having won the title in 2021 with Chennai Super Kings and again in 2025 with RCB, Hazlewood brings a winner’s mentality to a group that is hungry to become a dynasty. As they head into the final stages of the round-robin, the focus remains on maintaining that ‘all bases covered’ approach that has made them the team to beat in 2026.