Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have emerged as IPL’s most dangerous fast-bowling partnership this season, making life difficult for batters on both flat tracks and more helpful surfaces. Whether the job is to strike early with the new ball or to execute under pressure at the death, their spells have looked precise and planned rather than accidental, with Hazlewood particularly impressed by the balance and variety Bhuvneshwar brings to the attack.
Hazlewood hails Bhuvneshwar’s impact with the new ball and at the end
Hazlewood, who missed a portion of the early phase while recovering from injuries, believes bowling alongside Bhuvneshwar has been a near-identical feeling to pairing up with Australia’s leading left-right pace combinations. In his assessment, the partnership’s value lies in how seamlessly Bhuvneshwar can add movement and how Hazlewood can complement it through seam and bounce.
Hazlewood described the experience as similar to working in tandem with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc for Australia. He pointed out that Bhuvneshwar “probably pitches it up a little more” and consistently swings the ball, while Hazlewood can aim to hit the seam and extract extra bounce. For Hazlewood, that mix is what creates a well-rounded bowling unit—one that can bother batters across different match situations.
- Hazlewood said bowling with Bhuvneshwar has felt “a little bit like” bowling with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in Australia.
- He highlighted Bhuvneshwar’s tendency to pitch the ball up and swing it more, while he focuses on seam movement and bounce.
- He believes the attack’s strength comes from having balance, crediting a “nice mix” of bowling styles across both last season and this one.
Bhuvneshwar’s wicket haul and Hazlewood’s season numbers
Bhuvneshwar is being treated as a front-runner for the Purple Cap this campaign. After appearing in 12 matches, he has taken 22 wickets and currently sits at the top of the wicket-taking list.
Hazlewood’s numbers, meanwhile, reflect his return and continued effectiveness. In nine games, he has picked up 11 wickets, and he is also nearing a significant career landmark in Test cricket.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 22 wickets in 12 matches, currently leading the Purple Cap charts.
- Josh Hazlewood: 11 wickets in nine games.
- Hazlewood is five wickets short of reaching 300 Test wickets.
The satisfaction of comebacks and pressure overs
Hazlewood also spoke about what makes his performances most rewarding—especially when games begin with difficulty. He explained that when conditions are batter-friendly and a bowler’s spell initially looks like it won’t change anything, there is a particular kind of satisfaction in staying disciplined and still producing a strong impact, even if the early rhythm is not perfect.
He used the example of a flat-wicket scenario where other bowlers go for totals in the 50s or 60s, but he and his side manage something like “2 for 40.” In his view, those are the matches that feel most gratifying because they show control and execution under pressure.
Hazlewood contrasted that with situations where the batting side is clearly dominant from the start—when the first over is expensive, the chase is already tilted, and the bowler has to fight back. In those moments, he said, his pride comes from responding with yorkers or changes of pace and then finishing with respectable figures.
- Hazlewood said flat-track spells can be especially satisfying when you “go for 2 for 40” while others concede 50 or 60.
- He described momentum as something you earn—particularly when a wicket-taking partnership clicks, such as the Delhi game earlier in the season involving him and Bhuvneshwar.
- He said he is most proud in scenarios where the batting side dominates, the first over costs runs, and the bowler then counters with yorkers or pace variations to end with decent figures.
Squad depth for 2026: left-arm options, leg-spin and coverage
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Hazlewood offered a positive note about the bowling group’s composition and how roles are being filled. He acknowledged that Yash Dayal will not be part of the setup this time due to the absence of the left-arm angle, but he praised Rasikh Salam for stepping into that specific responsibility.
Hazlewood also pointed to the presence of a legspinner, Suyash Sharma, and a left-arm spinner, Krunal Pandya, describing the overall bowling plan as complete—much like Australia, where different roles allow batters fewer clear patterns.
The Australian pacer explained that if three bowlers operate with similar broad skill sets, batters may still find it easier to read the situation. However, when there are different abilities and distinct styles, it becomes harder for the batter to predict what to expect ball by ball.
- Hazlewood said Yash Dayal is not available this year for the left-arm role, but Rasikh Salam has taken it on well.
- He referenced Suyash Sharma as the legspinner and Krunal Pandya as the left-arm spinner.
- He described the bowling mix as “a bit like Australia,” where each base is covered and varied styles make batting harder.
- He noted that having multiple bowlers with the same style can help batters read patterns, while different skills and approaches increase unpredictability.
RCB return to action against Punjab Kings at Dharamsala
Table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set to be back in action today as they face Punjab Kings at Dharamsala.
