Josh Hazlewood admitted that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were unsure what the surface would offer after the previous match produced a staggering 500-plus total, but the pacer insisted the team’s plans still held as spin and pace combined to stifle Delhi Capitals (DC) in their latest outing. Hazlewood’s four-wicket burst, supported by Bhuvneshwar, helped RCB control the game early and then chase the target with authority.
From a 529-run thriller to a low-scoring battle
- In the earlier game on Saturday, Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings (PBKS) piled up 529 runs between them, with Punjab successfully chasing 265.
- That match also featured KL Rahul’s record-breaking 152 not out for Punjab.
- Two days later, the tone changed completely as DC batters struggled to make clean contact, either edging to the keeper/fielder or getting forced into uncomfortable positions by the bounce and movement.
- Hazlewood said RCB had no certainty about what to expect after such a high-scoring contest, but they followed the early cues from their bowling unit and looked to exploit the conditions.
RCB started the DC innings with early strikes: Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar pushed DC to 8/6 during the powerplay, but the hosts still managed 75 runs overall, a total that proved insufficient.
Spin takes over as runs dry up
- With the pace attack setting the tone, RCB’s spinners maintained pressure and prevented DC from settling.
- Suyash Sharma produced figures of 1/7 from four overs, while Krunal Pandya returned 1/9 in his two-over spell.
- Together, they conceded only 16 runs across six overs and took wickets of Kyle Jamieson and Kuldeep Yadav.
Speaking after the match, Hazlewood explained how the earlier game’s heavy scoring shaped RCB’s mindset. He said they weren’t sure what would happen after the 500-plus runfest and that they were essentially following Bhuvneshwar’s lead. Hazlewood noted that for the first six overs there was something there to work with, particularly as the ball skidded quickly from a short length. Once the ball became softer, he felt the contest became more balanced.
He also highlighted the value of bowling short on that kind of wicket, calling it a matter of accuracy. Hazlewood added that when the ball was “nice and hard”, it was difficult to bat, and he praised how the spinners “dotted it up nicely” after the pacers got things moving.
RCB’s form and Hazlewood’s season numbers
Hazlewood pointed to RCB’s momentum on the road, mentioning that in the last season they won all their away matches and that the current side has picked up where it left off. He said RCB quickly assessed conditions and adapted their approach during their 2025 travelling games, adding that the team feels like it is hitting its stride at the right time.
So far in this season, Hazlewood has taken eight wickets in five matches, averaging 19.25 and striking with an economy rate of 7.89.
Match outcome and chase
- RCB chose to field first.
- Hazlewood finished with 4/12 and Bhuvneshwar with 3/5 as DC were restricted to 75 in 16.3 overs.
- Abishek Porel made 30 and David Miller contributed 19, but their efforts could not move the total beyond reach.
- RCB’s chase began aggressively, with Jacob Bethell scoring 20 off 10 balls (including a four and two sixes).
- Devdutt Padikkal struck an unbeaten 34 off 13 balls, featuring three fours and three sixes.
- Virat Kohli added 25 not out from 13 deliveries, again with a four and two sixes.
- RCB completed the chase in 6.3 overs.
The result delivered RCB their sixth win in eight matches, lifting them to 12 points and second place in the standings. It was DC’s fifth defeat in the campaign, with three wins so far, keeping them seventh on the points table.
