Josh Hazlewood Compares RCB Culture to Australia; Lauds Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The Australian Influence in the RCB Camp

Since making his return to the Indian Premier League in 2025, Josh Hazlewood has become more than just a strike bowler for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB); he has become a symbol of their newfound stability. The veteran Australian pacer, who previously enjoyed title success with the Chennai Super Kings in 2021, has successfully transitioned his winning mentality to the Bengaluru-based franchise. After playing a pivotal role in RCB’s historic title win in 2025, Hazlewood continues to be the linchpin of an attack that looks increasingly invincible.

Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated PBKS vs RCB fixture in Dharamsala, the 35-year-old New South Wales native offered high praise for the current team environment. According to Hazlewood, the atmosphere and strategic depth within the RCB dressing room mirror that of the Australian national side. “It feels like Australia, where each and every base seems covered,” Hazlewood noted. “Players with different skills and styles make it harder for the opposition.” This comparison highlights the meticulous squad building that has allowed RCB to dominate the league over the past two seasons.

A Lethal Partnership: Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Central to RCB’s defensive success is the opening bowling partnership between Hazlewood and Indian veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar. While Kumar is currently leading the charts with a staggering 22 wickets, Hazlewood has proven to be the perfect tactical foil, claiming 11 wickets of his own while maintaining immense pressure from the other end. The synergy between the two is reminiscent of the world-class partnerships Hazlewood has shared on the international stage.

Hazlewood was quick to compare his current rhythm with Kumar to the experiences he has had with legendary Australian teammates. “It is like bowling with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc,” the Aussie star explained. “He (Bhuvneshwar) likes to pitch the ball up and also gets the ball to swing. I love to hit the seam and make the ball bounce. We’ve had two good years with a great mix of players.” This contrast in styles—Kumar’s prodigious swing and Hazlewood’s relentless accuracy and bounce—has made RCB the most feared powerplay unit in the competition.

Total Dominance Across All Phases

Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, the RCB bowling unit has displayed remarkable consistency not just with the new ball, but also in the middle and death overs. The team has evolved into a multi-dimensional threat, where various specialists step up at different junctures of the game. While the Hazlewood-Kumar duo grabs the headlines, the supporting cast has been equally vital to the team’s success.

• Jacob Duffy: The Kiwi seamer has been a reliable backup, providing crucial breakthroughs whenever called upon and currently sitting on six wickets.
• Rasikh Salam Dar: The young speedster has emerged as a death-overs specialist, bamboozling batters with his expertly disguised slower balls.
• Krunal Pandya: At 35, Pandya is bowling with the wisdom of a veteran, leading the spin department with 10 wickets.
• Suyash Sharma: The youngster has complemented Pandya perfectly, picking up seven wickets with his deceptive leg-spin.
• Romario Shepherd: The all-rounder has contributed significantly with his heavy balls, chipping in with six wickets.

Reflecting on a Season of Control

As the defending champions, RCB find themselves in a commanding position, requiring just one more victory to officially secure their place in the 2026 playoffs. Looking back at the campaign so far, Hazlewood, a 76-Test veteran, identified the match against Delhi Capitals as the benchmark for the team’s performance this year.

He recalled the feeling of being in “complete control” during that encounter. “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 remarked. He also expressed immense pride in the team’s ability to recover from difficult moments, highlighting the mental toughness required to bounce back after a high-scoring over. “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, it makes me proud.”

With the business end of the tournament approaching, the technical proficiency and mental resilience of players like Hazlewood will be the deciding factor in whether RCB can successfully defend their crown. The blend of international experience and local talent has created a culture of excellence that makes them the team to beat in 2026.