Josh Hazlewood Compares RCB Culture to Australian Team Success
A Winning Culture: Hazlewood Finds Home in Bengaluru
Since joining the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2022, veteran Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has become a cornerstone of the team’s bowling attack. After a successful stint with the Chennai Super Kings, where he secured an IPL title in 2021, Hazlewood’s transition to RCB has been seamless. The 35-year-old fast bowler, who was instrumental in RCB’s 2025 title-winning campaign, believes that the franchise operates with a level of professionalism that rivals the national setup back in Australia.
The Australian Standard at RCB
Ahead of a crucial PBKS vs RCB clash in Dharamsala, Hazlewood shared his insights on what makes the current RCB roster so dangerous. According to the experienced campaigner, the secret lies in the tactical diversity of the squad. “It feels like Australia, where each and every base seems covered,” Hazlewood noted. “Players with different skills and styles make it significantly harder for the opposition to settle into a rhythm.” This sentiment reflects a team that has built a robust structure, ensuring that regardless of the surface or match situation, a solution is always available.
The Lethal Alliance: Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar
One of the most compelling narratives of the 2026 season has been the bowling partnership between Hazlewood and Indian veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar. While Bhuvneshwar currently leads the charts with an impressive tally of 22 wickets, Hazlewood has provided the perfect tactical foil, contributing 11 vital wickets of his own. Hazlewood drew comparisons between this pairing and his long-time international teammates, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
“It is like bowling with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc,” Hazlewood explained. “Bhuvneshwar likes to pitch the ball up and consistently extracts swing, while I prefer to hit the seam and generate bounce. That contrast creates a lot of pressure for the batters.” This complementary skill set has been the bedrock of RCB’s success, allowing them to remain a dominant force in both the powerplay and the death overs.
A Complete Bowling Unit
The success of RCB’s bowling department is not limited to their two senior spearheads. The team has benefited from a collective effort that has kept opponents under constant pressure. Kiwi seamer Jacob Duffy has proven to be a reliable option whenever called upon, and young talent Rasikh Salam Dar has emerged as a death-overs specialist, earning praise for his consistent use of slower balls. Meanwhile, the spin duo of Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma has provided control in the middle overs, with Pandya claiming 10 wickets and Sharma taking seven. Complementary contributions from players like Romario Shepherd, who has also chipped in with six wickets, have made RCB a nightmare for opposing batting lineups.
Memorable Moments and Playoff Aspirations
As the defending champions look to secure their spot in the playoffs, Hazlewood took a moment to reflect on the highlights of the current campaign. He pointed to the match against the Delhi Capitals as the standout performance of the season. For the 76-Test veteran, the pride comes from resilience. “When things are going your way, like the game in Delhi where Bhuvi and I were in complete control, it’s a great feeling,” he said. “But it’s the ability to fight back after conceding runs—using yorkers and slower balls to finish with respectable figures—that truly makes me proud as a cricketer.” With the team just one win away from clinching a playoff berth, the momentum is firmly on RCB’s side as they head into the business end of the tournament.
