Josh Hazlewood Compares Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Starc and Cummins

A World-Class Partnership in the Making

In the high-stakes environment of the Indian Premier League, the chemistry between pace bowlers can often be the difference between a championship run and an early exit. For Josh Hazlewood, the lanky Australian pacer, finding a rhythm with a new ball partner is critical. Surprisingly, Hazlewood has found a sense of familiarity at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) that mirrors his legendary international partnerships back home in Australia.

Hazlewood, who has shared the crease with titans of the game like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins for years, has expressed immense admiration for his current teammate, veteran Indian swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar. According to the Australian, the void left by his national teammates is hardly felt when he is operating in tandem with the Indian speedster.

The Purple Cap Contender

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been in scintillating form throughout this IPL season. Currently sitting atop the Purple Cap charts with 22 wickets from 12 games, his ability to control the flow of the game, particularly during the powerplay, has been nothing short of masterclass. His reputation for subtle movement and pinpoint accuracy has solidified his status as one of the most dangerous new-ball bowlers in the tournament.

Hazlewood notes that while their styles differ, the synergy they create is lethal. “It’s a little bit like bowling with Patty and Starcy for Australia. Bhuvi probably pitches it up a little more and swings the ball. I can hit the seam and get a bit of bounce. It’s nice to have balance in your attack,” Hazlewood reflected on their partnership.

The Art of Bowling on Flat Tracks

The modern era of T20 cricket is often defined by batting dominance and flat pitches designed for high scoring. However, Hazlewood finds personal satisfaction not in cheap wickets, but in controlling the run rate when conditions are heavily tilted in favor of the batter. For him, the true measure of a bowler is their ability to bounce back after a difficult start.

“If you’re bowling on a flat wicket and go for 2 for 40 while everyone else goes for 50 or 60, I think those are the satisfying games,” Hazlewood explained. He emphasized that the mental toughness required to recover from a poor first over—using yorkers or clever changes of pace to finish with respectable figures—is what he takes the most pride in as a professional cricketer.

Strategic Balance and Team Dynamics

Beyond his individual partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hazlewood is highly impressed with the overall composition of the RCB bowling unit. He believes the franchise has successfully created a diverse attack that covers every tactical base, making them difficult for opposing batters to read.

“It feels a bit like Australia—every base is covered. If you’ve got three bowlers of the same style, the batter can get a pretty good read on what’s happening. Different skills and different styles make it harder,” Hazlewood stated. He highlighted the contributions of players like Rasikh Salam, who has stepped into a crucial role, alongside the variety provided by leg-spin and left-arm spin options in the squad.

The integration of these diverse skill sets has provided RCB with a tactical edge. By ensuring that batters are forced to adapt to varying angles, speeds, and trajectories throughout the 20-over allotment, the team has managed to maintain pressure in situations where other sides might fold. For Hazlewood, this structural harmony is the foundation of a successful campaign.

Conclusion

As the tournament progresses, the reliance on experienced campaigners like Josh Hazlewood and the tactical brilliance of Bhuvneshwar Kumar will remain central to RCB’s ambitions. By blending international experience with local expertise, the pair has demonstrated that success in the IPL is as much about the combination of styles as it is about individual talent. Whether it is swinging the ball early or executing a perfect yorker at the death, the duo continues to set a high standard for pace bowling in the league.