Josh Hazlewood’s Comeback at RCB: A Perfect Blend of IPL Fire and Test Prep
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) camp must be feeling ecstatic with Josh Hazlewood back in action after a shoulder injury break. The Australian pacer, known for his clinical bowling in Tests, made a smashing return to the IPL and helped RCB storm into their first final since 2016. What’s more, this IPL stint is proving to be a brilliant warm-up for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa, scheduled to begin at Lord’s on June 11.
Hazlewood’s return wasn’t just about personal fitness or form; it was a big morale boost for RCB, who have been waiting eagerly for their spearhead to join the bowling attack. Despite being out for a month due to injury, Hazlewood came back with no signs of rust and bowled like the champion he is. His performance in the crunch IPL game, where he scalped 3 wickets for just 21 runs in 3.1 overs, was a masterclass in accuracy and control.
IPL: The Perfect Intensity Booster for Test Cricket
After the game, Hazlewood opened up about how the intensity of the IPL helps him gear up for the WTC final. “Wherever I am in the world, I’ve got to be bowling to prepare for that big Test match,” he said. According to him, nothing beats the intensity and match practice of the IPL when it comes to getting in the right frame of mind and rhythm before a high-stakes Test game.
There’s no doubt that Test cricket requires a lot more hours in the nets and stamina to bowl long spells, but Hazlewood believes the IPL’s high-pressure environment pushes him to build the right intensity. He remarked, “There’s no better place to get your intensity right up than in the IPL.”
For cricket fans who know Hazlewood’s style, this makes perfect sense. He’s the kind of bowler who thrives on subtle movement and relentless accuracy, especially in Tests. But over the years, he’s also adapted impressively to the T20 format, using his hard lengths and sharp yorkers to trouble batsmen. On this particular pitch, which was a perfect batting track, he bowled classic Test-match lengths and reaped the rewards.
The Match That Changed the Course: RCB vs Punjab Kings
RCB’s victory over Punjab Kings was more than just a step into the final; it was a statement. Punjab Kings were in decent form but ended up self-destructing under pressure, thanks largely to Hazlewood’s incisive spells. Among his prized wickets were in-form Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis — key players who could have tilted the match.
Hazlewood’s bowling style hasn’t changed much between formats, he says. “I don’t bowl too differently in Test cricket than I did tonight,” he explained. His skill lies in hitting the right areas consistently, which frustrates batsmen regardless of format. His figures were a match-turning 3/21, which underlined how valuable he is to RCB’s bowling attack.
Hazlewood’s Importance to RCB: More Than Just a Bowler
Here’s an interesting stat: despite playing only 11 games this IPL season due to injury troubles, Hazlewood is still RCB’s leading wicket-taker with 21 scalps at a stunning average of 15.80. That says a lot about his impact.
Take him out, and the RCB bowling attack suddenly looks vulnerable. The franchise knows it needs his disciplined line and length to contain big hitters and keep pressure on the opposition throughout the innings. His ability to swing the ball off the pitch and bowl those tricky yorkers makes him an irreplaceable asset.
Talking about his recovery, Hazlewood said he’s put in a lot of hard work on his shoulder and was glad to get some good overs in the last 10 days. “It feels good to be back,” he admitted. The pitch helped too — no need to bowl those punishing fast yorkers — but just getting back into the groove was a major positive.
RCB’s Bowling Arsenal: A Perfect Balance
One reason for RCB’s bowling strength this season has been the balance in their attack. Alongside Hazlewood, the leg-spinner Suyash Sharma has been impressive, along with experienced campaigners Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal.
Hazlewood praised the variety in the bowling line-up. “We’ve got all bases covered,” he said. “Any one of the five or six bowlers can bowl at any moment of the game — start, middle, or end.” That kind of flexibility is gold in T20 cricket.
He also highlighted Bhuvneshwar’s calm and composed nature, which helps settle the younger bowlers. “Bhuvi is a calm customer and that rubs off on the rest of the attack. I’m quite similar — relaxed and focused on executing skills. Some younger guys have picked up on that vibe, which is great to see.”
Conditions and Strategy: Making the Most of Seam and Swing
The pitch on that IPL night offered some seam and swing, though the bounce was a bit inconsistent. Hazlewood and company made full use of these conditions, bundling out Punjab Kings for a modest 101 — a target RCB chased down comfortably in just 10 overs.
Hazlewood credited Suyash Sharma’s bowling spells for picking up middle-order wickets and turning the tide. The youngster has bowled well throughout the tournament but was a bit unlucky to not get wickets earlier. On this night, however, the wickets flowed for him.
Why Hazlewood’s IPL Comeback is More Than Just a Win for RCB
From a bigger perspective, Josh Hazlewood’s return to the IPL fold is a significant advantage not just for RCB but for Australia’s Test ambitions as well. The World Test Championship final is arguably the biggest Test clash of the year, and a bowler’s rhythm and confidence matter a lot going into such a high-pressure contest.
Playing IPL cricket allows Hazlewood to sharpen his skills, keep his intensity high, and stay match-fit. The confidence he gets from performing well on Indian pitches will surely boost his chances of delivering match-winning spells at Lord’s next month.
Key Takeaways & Exciting Elements:
-
Hazlewood’s return boosts RCB’s bowling attack after injury.
-
IPL intensity is the perfect preparation for Test cricket.
-
Bowling 3/21 in a crucial IPL match highlights his class and control.
-
Leading wicket-taker for RCB despite playing only 11 games shows his impact.
-
RCB’s bowling unit boasts great variety and balance, from seamers to spinners.
-
Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar’s calm approach steadies the younger bowlers.
-
Pitch conditions helped bowlers; RCB exploited seam and swing well.
-
Suyash Sharma’s breakthrough spell gave RCB the edge.
-
Hazlewood’s IPL comeback is also a big confidence boost ahead of the WTC final.
Final Words
With the IPL final just around the corner and the WTC final looming in June, Josh Hazlewood’s journey back to full fitness and form couldn’t have come at a better time. His ability to seamlessly adapt between T20 and Test cricket is a testament to his skill and dedication.
For RCB fans, Hazlewood is the steadying force they desperately needed this season. And for cricket lovers across India and Australia, seeing him in such good rhythm promises some riveting cricket in the weeks to come.
Login