Josh Hazlewood Compares RCB Culture to Australian Cricket Team
A Winning Culture: Hazlewood Finds Home at RCB
Since joining the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2022, veteran Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has become an integral part of the franchise’s success. Following his stint with the Chennai Super Kings, where he secured an IPL title in 2021, the New South Wales native has flourished in the Bengaluru environment, playing a pivotal role in the team’s championship-winning campaign in 2025. As the team prepares for their upcoming clash against the Punjab Kings in Dharamsala, Hazlewood has offered a rare glimpse into the internal culture that makes RCB a formidable force.
Comparing RCB to the Australian Standard
For a player who has represented Australia in 76 Test matches, the standard of professionalism is paramount. Hazlewood believes that the RCB franchise mirrors the structure and depth of the Australian national side. Reflecting on the team’s composition, the 35-year-old noted, ‘It feels like Australia, where each and every base seems covered. Players with different skills and styles make it harder for the opposition.’ This diversity in the bowling attack has been a hallmark of RCB’s tactical dominance throughout the 2026 season.
The Lethal Partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Perhaps the most significant development for RCB this season has been the blossoming partnership between Hazlewood and Indian swing maestro Bhuvneshwar Kumar. With Bhuvneshwar currently leading the wicket charts with 22 dismissals and Hazlewood contributing 11, the duo has become a nightmare for opposing batting lineups. Hazlewood drew a comparison between this current collaboration and his experiences with Australian legends, stating, ‘It is like bowling with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. 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.’
A Well-Rounded Bowling Unit
The success of RCB is not solely dependent on the new-ball specialists. The team’s depth has been evident across all phases of the game. The bowling unit is bolstered by the presence of:
- Jacob Duffy: The Kiwi seamer has proven reliable whenever called upon to deliver.
- Rasikh Salam Dar: The young talent has excelled in the death overs, particularly with his deceptive slower balls.
- Krunal Pandya & Suyash Sharma: The spin duo has maintained control, with Krunal taking 10 wickets and Suyash adding seven of his own.
- Romario Shepherd: Providing crucial support in the middle overs with six wickets to his name.
Reflecting on the 2026 Season Highlights
With the defending champions standing just one victory away from securing a playoff spot, momentum is high. When asked to identify the defining moment of the 2026 season so far, Hazlewood pointed to the encounter against the Delhi Capitals. For the veteran, it wasn’t just about the result, but the resilience displayed under pressure. ‘When the things are going your way, like the game in Delhi where Bhuvi and myself were bowling good deliveries, you are in complete control,’ he explained. He highlighted the satisfaction of rebounding from expensive overs with precise yorkers and slower-ball variations, emphasizing that such tactical adjustments are what make a bowler proud of their performance.
As the tournament reaches its business end, the synergy between RCB’s leadership and their diverse bowling attack positions them as strong contenders to defend their title. With Hazlewood’s experience anchoring the pace attack and the team firing on all cylinders, the path to the playoffs looks increasingly secure.
